ELECTION EVE: Help at the ballot dropbox; encouragement in The Junction

Election Eve sights:

AT THE BALLOT DROPBOX: We went by West Seattle’s semi-new permanent ballot dropbox outside High Point Library and found a team of four helpers from King County Elections. They told us they’re there until 5 pm today and again 9:30 am-8 pm tomorrow to manage traffic among other things – to keep it from backing up onto 35th, in particular. You can even give them your ballot without getting out of your car, and they’ll pop it in the dropbox while you watch. If you need a pen, or an envelope, they have those supplies too. A steady stream of voters were coming by, in cars and on foot, while we were there around 1:30 pm. SW Raymond, just east of 35th SW. (No van at WS Stadium – the permanent box at HP Library replaces it.) Nearby boxes are also at the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th) and South Park Library (8604 8th Ave. S.) – full countywide list here. (Or, use a stamp and postal-mail your ballot – be sure it’ll be postmarked no later than tomorrow.) If it’s been a few days since you dropped off or mailed your ballot, use the online Ballot Tracker to be sure it’s been received and verified.

GET OUT THE VOTE: Victoria at VAIN (WSB sponsor) in The Junction sent us the photo:

She says VAIN has posters they would like to offer to anyone interested in displaying/holding them up to encourage people to vote. (They’re at 4513 California SW, open until 8 tonight.)

P.S. If you’re out campaigning/getting out the vote, we’d love a photo – editor@westseattleblog.com

P.P.S. Last call to let us know about any election-night results-viewing parties in the area … later tonight we’ll publish the list, though it’s still not very long – same address, editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

Brian November 7, 2016 (3:04 pm)

Is there a drop box at the West Seattle Stadium again this year?

WSB November 7, 2016 (3:06 pm)

No. You are the second person to ask about that, so I should probably point it out in the story: West Seattle Stadium was the “drop van” stop for the years that West Seattle did NOT have a permanent dropbox. Now, the HP Library is the permanent spot. If you were used to taking your ballot to the van in Greenbridge (on 8th SW), that is no longer there either; the White Center Library box on 107th is also permanent. – TR
jim November 8, 2016 (11:38 am)

i was wondering the same thing, but i am guessing “not”

newnative November 7, 2016 (3:48 pm)

This drives me nuts that we don’t have any drop boxes in 98116. My coworkers in other districts all have local drop boxes at their libraries. Having to put stamps on a ballot is a poll tax. We don’t have near my work either.

Bonnie November 7, 2016 (4:35 pm)

Um….the High Point Library is not too far from 98116. It was probably chosen because it was halfway between 98116 and 98136. I live in 98136 and went out of my way to go to High Point. It won’t hurt you. Also, I heard that you do not have to put postage on your envelope. I’m not sure it’s correct or not so double check before.
trickycoolj November 7, 2016 (5:23 pm)

Cry us a river. There was no drop van or box in 98126 and it has a higher disadvantaged population.

anonyme November 7, 2016 (4:23 pm)

Agree that there should be many more drop boxes, preferably at every library.

BTW, I met the gentleman on the far right in the photo while making the trip to drop off my ballot this morning. We were both on the bus, and he was doing language interpretation on the phone during the trip. It’s been years since I met anyone as articulate, engaged – or with such elegant manners. A real treat these days…

PLS November 8, 2016 (8:09 am)

Wasn’t he nice? I said “thank y’all for helping!” and he asked where i was from as he was from Arkansas and hadn’t heard y’all in a while! Seattle freeze can be broken really easily if people just smile and try.

Jeff November 7, 2016 (4:28 pm)

High point is really close… There are whole cities that don’t have drop boxes!

Jo November 7, 2016 (5:19 pm)

Do we need a stamp or not? My husband insists he heard in the news that without a stamp ballots will still be delivered

WSB November 7, 2016 (6:02 pm)

Somebody apparently did a story recently claiming that your ballot will be counted without a stamp. Maybe it will. But the Postal Service is not required to deliver it. Don’t take a chance, if you choose to put it in the postal mail.

dcn November 7, 2016 (5:31 pm)

I dropped my ballot off at High Point Library on Friday around 5 pm. Ballot Tracker as of today (Monday, 5:30 pm) still says they haven’t received it yet. I wonder how backlogged the ballot processing people are, or if the ballot box wasn’t emptied over the weekend.

WSB November 7, 2016 (6:01 pm)

The box was to be emptied at least once a day. However, the processing certainly might not have been logged yet. Check again tomorrow.
sam-c November 8, 2016 (3:01 pm)

hmmm. That is interesting. I dropped mine off there yesterday (Monday) morning before work, and it has already been received, and signature verified..Maybe it was on top of the pile of ones that had been deposited earlier though?
Elton November 8, 2016 (3:29 pm)

I dropped off my ballot last Wednesday and it didn’t show up until today for me. It takes them a few days – check again tomorrow.

newnative November 7, 2016 (5:42 pm)

it just might hurt me. 3 miles is far on the bus, after working all day. should be in my neighborhood.

Bonnie November 7, 2016 (9:54 pm)

It is your neighborhood. Geez. Give me a break.

Diane November 7, 2016 (6:13 pm)

in some cities, in some states, people are still standing in line for hours to vote; we are very fortunate here

flynlo November 7, 2016 (7:46 pm)

What is the cost of all of the drop boxes & their attendants & transportation to & from the ballot counting facility vs. the government supplying postage paid envelops?

canton November 7, 2016 (8:13 pm)

Wish they would send the ballots out at least a month ahead. 39 positions/ items to vote on. Maybe semi informed on ten of them. Get why people don’t vote, too many issues to really be a well informed voter when time to research is slim.

sam-c November 8, 2016 (11:24 am)

There isn’t a rule that you have to vote for every single one of them for your vote to be counted. You can vote for president, governor, and ST3 and leave it at that, if you want.

lina November 7, 2016 (9:04 pm)

OMG! Sorry but everyone stop complaining and just vote! This election is way too important to make excuses about ballot boxes being too far, stamps, too many items on the ballot etc. While we did not have a ton of time to research the actual ballot, many of the initiatives have been in the news for months now. It is our responsibility to be engaged. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that voting is accessible, rules are clear etc and sure, we can always do better there. But for god sakes just get out there and mail/drop your ballot in a box – it is worth your effort!

WSB November 7, 2016 (9:07 pm)

Also – PLEASE avoid just sticking your ballot in a mailbox outside your house if you can get to a dropbox or post office … I’m seeing scattered reports of mail theft that included ballots.

aa November 7, 2016 (9:13 pm)

The cost of postage is worth complaining about? Of that you have to travel to drop your ballot in a box for free? I’ll meet anyone outside the post office tomorrow and pay for their stamps if they can’t afford it.

canton November 7, 2016 (9:36 pm)

@lina, you got kids? The voters guide is half inch thick. Trying to read bs arguments in guide with no “truthful substance”, while watching Maya the bee…

canton November 7, 2016 (9:51 pm)

SC judge position 44, Moore or Newman? If you got that, recommend # 14, 26, 31, 52, and 53. Just informed and factual info on each please.

Nancy R November 7, 2016 (10:22 pm)

There are indeed not enough drop boxes. Tina Podlowdowski running for Secretary of State wants to not require postage on ballots and will increase the number of available dropboxes. If you think voting should be easier and more secure, vote Tina for Secretary of State.

Gina November 7, 2016 (10:32 pm)

Canton–I know a Prosecutor’s Office insider, sure helped me with the pros and cons of the judicial candidates. Otherwise I would still be staring at my ballot.

anonyme November 8, 2016 (5:44 am)

Is it any wonder that this election is a disgrace, given that so many people apparently find the act of voting such an onerous burden?

WSJoe November 8, 2016 (9:54 am)

MEN! Be sure you use your vote!

Julia November 8, 2016 (2:04 pm)

Those of you complaining about drop-box scarcity do realize that, not only did you have weeks to find a way to get your ballot in, but in most places in the U.S., one still needs to make the physical trek to an actual polling station, during the actual hours of operation on ONE DAY out of the year, right? Try walking to a polling station in 2 feet of snow and then tell me how hard it is to get your ballot into a drop-box, any old time you want.

aa November 8, 2016 (6:30 pm)

WSJoe-if you are basing your vote solely on gender I feel sorry for you. Assuming you know how someone is going to vote based on their gender if foolish. This is not a men vs. women issue!

Sorry, comment time is over.