Hundreds of Tri-City ballots can’t be counted because of problems. How to check yours
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Tri-Cities 2024 General Election Coverage
Ballots are out now for the 2024 Presidential Election on Nov. 5. Check out our coverage on all the races impacting the Tri-Cities.
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About 39,000 Tri-City voters have submitted their ballots for the Nov. 5 general election as of Friday, according to statistics provided by the Washington Secretary of State’s Office.
And already nearly 1%, or about 360, have been flagged and set aside for no signatures, a mismatched signature or for other reasons. That’s 221 in Benton County and 138 in Franklin County.
Ranking Washington’s 39 counties on the percent of ballots they’ve challenged, Franklin lands at No. 10 with 1.7% challenged and Benton lands at No. 27 with 0.7% challenged.
Garfield, San Juan and Kitsap have the highest rates of challenge, while Thurston, Columbia and Douglass have the lowest.
Four years ago, Franklin County had the highest percentage of ballots rejected in Washington state. It’s 2020 rejection rate of ballots, at about 1.5%, was nearly twice the statewide average.
Voters can check the status of their ballot online at vote.wa.gov. After entering your name and birth date, you’ll be able to see if your ballot was accepted and was in line for tabulation.
If your ballot is marked as challenged, it’s recommended you contact your local elections center to “cure” or fix the problem before election day.
The Washington Secretary of State’s Office expects the percent of challenged ballots to drop as elections officials are able to reach voters to resolve a question.
“The counties mail and email notices about challenged ballots. Additionally, they call, and the voter will receive text messages if they have opted in to that service,” wrote a spokesperson with the agency overseeing Washington elections.
Voters can text VOTE to 868392 to receive text updates regarding their ballot status.
Ballot rejection is low in Washington state. According to Secretary of State’s Office, 1.2% of all ballots returned in primary and general elections in the last 10 years have been challenged.
State election officials recommend voters consider the following when voting to ensure your ballot goes through the process properly:
- When you register to vote or update your registration, either online or in-person, sign up to receive text notifications about your ballot’s status.
- Check the signature on your Washington driver’s license or ID before you sign your ballot envelope. Has your signature changed? Many people register to vote at the Department of Licensing, and that signature is kept on file with your county elections office to compare to your envelope.
- Vote early. Place your ballot in the mail with time for it to be postmarked by election day or place it in one of the more than 550 official drop boxes located across the state before 8 p.m. election day. Mail in the Tri-Cities is processed in Spokane before it’s delivered, which could delay the postmark date.
Turnout steady, but slower than 2020
With 11 days to election day, turnout in the Tri-Cities is lagging behind 2020 levels.
Of the 131,000 Benton County voters, about 31,000, or 24%, had returned their ballots via a local voting center, county certified drop box or the mail.
In Franklin County, where nearly 46,000 are registered to vote, about 8,100, or 18%, had returned their ballots.
Turnout during the 2020 general election peaked at 82% in Benton County and 78% in Franklin County. Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton told the Tri-City Herald this week that, despite the slow start, she expects 2024 turnout to exceed or meet levels seen four years ago.
Presidential election years regularly see the highest turnout.
By comparison, during midterm elections from 2014 to 2022, just 50-70% of registered Tri-Cities voters returned their ballots. And as few as one-third of voters turnout during odd-year elections, when local candidates run.
Voters in the Mid-Columbia region will weigh in on the U.S. presidential election, one U.S. Senate seat, two seats in the U.S. House, various state executive offices including governor, as well as judicial seats, legislative positions and on statewide initiatives.
Washington is also guaranteed to elect a new governor this year with Gov. Jay Inslee choosing to not pursue a fourth term.
Political polls favor a Democrat Bob Ferguson win over Republican Dave Reichert, with a margin of 7 to 16 points. But a lack of incumbency advantage and undecided voters mean the race between the current attorney general and a retired U.S. House representative could end up tighter.
This story was originally published October 28, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
