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Common ballot mistakes amid record early voting in King County and Washington

King County has an unprecedented number of early votes submitted this election season.

RENTON, Wash. — An unprecedented amount of ballots have been returned in King County, outpacing numbers on a state level. 

The Secretary of State's office reports that 64.8% of the state’s more than 4.8 million registered voters have already cast their ballot as of Friday. Four years ago, just over 41% of voters had returned their ballots by the weekend before the election. 

In King County, 66.8% of registered voters have submitted. 

"It almost feels like Election Day," said Kendall Hodson of King County Elections, with still four days to go. 

While there's been a steady flow of voters at the Renton Elections Headquarters drop box, Hodson said there has also been one constant: the amount of ballots with some sort of issue.  

"Typically, we see a percent to a percent and a quarter of ballots," Hodson said about the irregularities which often involve an unmatched signature. She said in Washington, you won't be penalized if you forget to use the secret sleeve or tear off the stub, and you can use any color ink.

RELATED: Washington state 2020 General Election voter's guide

King County, in particular, has been updating their technology to allow for more tracking of ballots from the time they are sent, submitted and counted.

Voters can check the status online, and see if there is any sort of problem. However, Hodson said voters will be notified if there is an irregularity with a signature or otherwise.

King County is also taking the unusual step of opening voting centers, including one outside the offices in Renton. That's where people can register to vote and cast their ballot up until the deadline on Election Day this Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

RELATED: Vote centers in Washington state open ahead of general election

King County Vote Centers

Kenmore City Hall
18120 68th Avenue NE
Kenmore 

Hours:

  • Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Monday, November 2, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Election Day, November 3, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

UW campus - Dempsey Indoor Center
Walla Walla Road
Seattle

Hours:

  • Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Monday, November 2, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Election Day, November 3, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

CenturyLink Field Event Center
800 Occidental Avenue South
Seattle
Note: Drive-up entrance at 2100 S Royal Brougham Way. Walk-in entrance on the corner of Occidental Ave S and S Royal Brougham Way

Hours:

  • Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Monday, November 2, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Election Day, November 3, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Bellevue College Gym
3000 Landerholm Circle SE G
Note: Voter parking in lot 17

Hours:

  • Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Monday, November 2, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Election Day, November 3, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

King County Elections
919 SW Grady Way
Renton

Hours:

  • Weekdays, October 26 - November 2, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Election Day, November 3, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Pierce County Voting Centers

Pierce County Elections
2501 South 35th Street C
Tacoma

Hours:

  • Mon - Fri:  8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Drive-Through Services 

  • Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Monday, November 2, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 3, 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Snohomish County Voting Centers

Snohomish County Auditor's Office
3000 Rockefeller Ave
Everett
Note: First floor of Admin W Building 

Hours:

Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (October 26 - November 2)
Election Day, November 3, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. 

County Public Meeting Rooms (Snohomish County Campus)
3000 Rockefeller Ave
Everett
Note: First floor of Drewel Building 

Hours:

Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, November 2, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Election Day, November 3, 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Alderwood Water & Wastewater District 
3626 156th St SW
Lynnwood

Hours:

Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, November 2, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Election Day, November 3, 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Wyndham Garden Hotel 
16710 Smokey Point Blvd
Arlington

Hours:

Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, November 2, 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Election Day, November 3, 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

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