Election 2012: West Seattle ballot-dropoff service returns, sort of

The August 7th election is five weeks from tomorrow – including not only the primary, but also two local levies (Seattle libraries and the King County youth justice/family law center) and we have just learned that, for those who would rather not put their ballots in the mail, there WILL be some ballot-dropoff service in West Seattle for the first time since 2009.

We checked with King County Elections after hearing that Burien had received a new dropbox and wondering if West Seattle and/or White Center would get one too. Kim Van Ekstrom‘s reply: No, BUT: “A new temporary service for returning your ballot will be added for the 2012 fall elections. We will employ 3 vans that will park in temporary locations. The vans will be parked and staffed by people accepting ballots at the following locations, on the following dates and times: Friday, Saturday, and Monday prior to Election Day 10 am – 5 pm, and on Election Day, 7 am – 8 pm.” West Seattle Stadium is one of the three dropoff-van locations.

If you’re interested in where else you will find either accessible-voting service or ballot dropoffs around King County, here’s an advance look at all of that information, which Van Ekstrom says will be updated soon on the Elections website:

Here’s an advance list of all Ballot Drop Box & Van locations and Accessible Voting Centers for the upcoming primary and general elections:

Accessible Voting Centers
There will be 5 accessible voting centers (AVC) located in King County. There will be two locations added for the Presidential election year. The three previous locations will remain the same and the two additional locations were added to areas where there is a large voting population, public transportation available, and sites with accessible buildings and rooms available. We have increased the number of days that AVCs will operate.

The following locations will operate Friday, Saturday, and Monday prior to Election Day 10 a.m. -5 p.m. On Election Day they will operate 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.: (Primary is August 3, 4, 6 and 7)
Bellevue City Hall
450 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue 98009

Green River Community College
Glacier Room, Lindbloom Student Center
12401 SW 320th Street, Auburn 98092

North Seattle Community College
College Center Room 1360
9600 College Way N, Seattle 98103

Seattle Union Station
401 S. Jackson Street, Seattle 98104

King County Elections
919 SW Grady Way, Renton 98057
Beginning 18 days prior to the election during the following office hours: (Primary: July 20)
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Election Day, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Ballot Drop-off Locations
Ballot drop-off boxes (BDOLs) are open 24 hours a day beginning the Thursday after ballots are mailed; 19 days prior to Election Day. One permanent box has been added this year; the box is located at Burien City Hall. (Primary: all boxes open July 19)

Burien City Hall
400 SW 152nd St, Burien 98166

Crossroads Shopping Center
South entrance
15600 NE 8th Street, Bellevue 98008

Federal Way City Hall
33325 8th Avenue S, Federal Way 98003

Issaquah City Hall
130 E Sunset Way, Issaquah 98027

King County Elections
919 SW Grady Way, Renton 98057

Lake Forest Park City Hall
17425 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park 98155

Regional Justice Center
401 4th Avenue N, Kent 98032
Near parking garage entrance

Redmond City Hall
15670 NE 85th Street, Redmond 98052

Tahoma School District Office
25720 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road SE,
Maple Valley 98038

Seattle ballot drop box locations:

Ballard Branch Library
Corner of NW 57th Street and 22nd Avenue NW, Seattle 98107

King County Administration Building
500 4th Avenue, Seattle 98104

Magnuson Park
6344 NE 74th Street, Seattle 98115

Ballot drop-off vans

A new temporary service for returning your ballot will be added for the 2012 fall elections. We will employ 3 vans that will park in temporary locations. The vans will be parked and staffed by people accepting ballots at the following locations, on the following dates and times:
Friday, Saturday, and Monday prior to Election Day 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (August 3, 4, 6)
On Election Day, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. (August 7)

Kirkland City Hall
123 5th Avenue, Kirkland, 98033

University of Washington Campus
Red Square, Seattle, 98105

West Seattle Stadium
4432 35th Avenue SW, Seattle, 98126

For more information on the August election – go here.

Attorney July 2, 2012 (12:39 pm)

keep in mind that many judicial races are decided in the primary, including an important Supreme Court seat. I would encourage everyone to be informed about the candidates that make decisions that impact our daily lives. Please vote for current justice, Justice Gonzalez, for Supreme Court. He is running against an unqualified (white) candidate, but as the Stranger recently reported polls suggest that state wide his name sounds “too Mexican” and the unqualified candidate may be elected.

The Voting for Judges(http://www.votingforjudges.org) is a valuable nonpartisan source of judicial-evaluation information for candidates running for judicial office. Now in its seventh year, the site includes information on candidates for all levels of courts throughout the state.

Been There July 2, 2012 (2:08 pm)

A reminder to the various judges or others running for office. The city law states that you and or your campaigners are not allowed to place your campaign signs in planting strips, alongside city parks, on city property or within the public right of way. You and your supporters are legally allowed to place them on your own property such as a window or private yard, but not in city property. It is a very simple law and I would expect candidates for office and those in charge of judging the implementation of the laws to be able to do as I do, not just do as I say.

KatherineL July 2, 2012 (4:04 pm)

I’ve long felt that we need more information about the judges we elect. Most people have no idea how they rule or what their courtroom demeanor is. Thanks, Attorney.