Ballot returns still sluggish on Primary eve

Monday, August 20, 2007

Peninsula News Network

Clallam County, WA - Not even a third of Clallam County voters have bothered to fill out their Primary election ballots, as the accelerated election process reaches the first day of decision.

This year, Washington’s counties are conducting Primary elections in August, rather than the traditional September. County auditors asked for the extra time to allow for more ballot processing between the Primary and the General election in November. But political observers have wondered whether having the Primary at the same time people are enjoying the last weeks of summer will have a chilling effect on turnout.

Although it’s too soon to tell for certain, the pace of ballot returns in Clallam County has certainly been moving at a glacial pace. Through Monday morning, less than 30% of the ballots mailed three weeks ago had been returned. An additional 1176-ballots came back Monday, bringing the total to just over 13,000.

Ballots must be returned by 8pm Tuesday night, or in the mail by late afternoon in time to receive an August 21st postmark.