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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Politics County Voter Turnout at 16 Percent (Already)

Posted by Unpaid Intern on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 3:40 PM

Posted by news intern Garrett McCulloch

Who's actually sending their ballots in early? Well, it turns out our friends at King County Elections post the number of ballots they receive each day (next posting's tonight at 8:00). As of yesterday, the county had received 173,312 of the 1,084,099 ballots it sent out this year. That's 15.99 percent with six days to go before the postmark deadline.

Seattle is hovering right around the countywide average with 15.95 percent of its ballots counted. Turnout for the last mayoral election in 2005 was 55 percent, so if the numbers are similar, the county has already received almost 30 percent of the ballots Seattle is likely to cast this year.

So who's kicking our asses in early voting? The wee hamlets of Skykomish (28.37 percent—40 of 141 ballots) and Beaux Arts Village (26.51 percent—57 of 215) are leading. Mercer Island (21.26 percent) and Medina (23.00 percent) are also in the process of tarnishing our civic pride. Who fails at early voting? Covington, where only 12.12 exurbans have voted.

Do you really want to lose to the SUV-hugging, McMansion-dwelling, Susan Hutchison-loving denizens of Mercer Island and Medina? Didn't think so. Mail in your ballot!

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Comments (18) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

with mail in ballots turnout should be much higher. fucking lazy people.

Posted by taint on October 29, 2009 at 3:40 PM

It's frightening to think that so few people set the rules for so many. But it's because the "so many" just don't seem to care.

Posted by Sargon Bighorn on October 29, 2009 at 3:48 PM

seriously ... is it that hard to fill out some ovals, sign and date an envelope, put a stamp on it and mail it?

takes 10 minutes if you know what you are voting for.

Posted by Gordon Werner on October 29, 2009 at 3:49 PM

i've said it before and i'll say it again: drive-through mailboxes do exist my friends

Posted by Swearengen on October 29, 2009 at 3:57 PM

You're taking some meaningless statistic and turning it into a contest of civic pride? That takes some balls.

But, who can forget the glory of the early voting winners in past elections? Besides everyone.

Posted by elenchos on October 29, 2009 at 3:59 PM

Once again the rich people will win and impose their higher taxes on the middle class and working class folks.

Cause they're not lazy - they want to pass their taxes down onto you and cut your services, while raking in the bucks themselves.

There are even free drop off locations ... it's on one of the inserts.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on October 29, 2009 at 4:01 PM

Who gives a shit about voting early? Something could happen between now and the election date. A shocking story could surface that may cause me to change a vote. Voting early is like finding out the sex of your baby before it's born. It robs you of experiencing the moment...in MY opinion, anyway. Beaux Art(ists?) and Mercer Islanders probably find out the sex of their babies in utero, too. Whatever...

Posted by Electile Dysfunction on October 29, 2009 at 4:03 PM

Hey, does anyone know how I can dig up my voting history?

Posted by Juan on October 29, 2009 at 4:07 PM

I'm trying to think of a logical reason why they shouldn't start counting and posting the actual votes as soon as they receive the ballots.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on October 29, 2009 at 4:15 PM

@8 Go to your county website and enter all your info into their voter database. You can see all the elections you've missed.

Posted by Enigma

on October 29, 2009 at 4:25 PM

@8-If you're registered in Washington, you should be able to look up your history here: http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/OSOS/VoterVau…

Posted by Unpaid Intern on October 29, 2009 at 4:30 PM

@8, you can track your ballot here (assuming you live in King County): http://info.kingcounty.gov/elections/mai…

and your voting history here: http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/OSOS/VoterVau…

Posted by doug on October 29, 2009 at 4:33 PM

Hey gays. Don't come crying to me if you wake up November 4th having lost your rights because you didn't vote to Approve fucking referendum fucking 71.

Posted by Simply Me on October 29, 2009 at 4:37 PM

just bought a stamp!
great article- didn't know they gave out this kind of information. that link is also useful for somebody i was just talking to.
thanks unpaid guy!

Posted by seattlejenny on October 29, 2009 at 4:39 PM

Thanks, all, for the links. It appears I've voted 9 Elections since 2006. Dear me we do seem to vote a bit too much out here.

Posted by Juan on October 29, 2009 at 4:50 PM

Hey, Hey! Here's a Mercer Island mom who is Yes-R71 and No-Hutchinson. And as far as I've been able to gauge from my neighbors, I'm definitely not alone. Please - don't stereotype!

Posted by Sagemom on October 29, 2009 at 6:14 PM

hey hey hey....Hold on a second. As an ex-resident of Mercer Island, I have to say that we're not all bad.

In fact, get this: My parents AND grandparents (who live on MI) have been going door-to-door campaigning for Yes on 41.

Did I also happen to mention that they're devout Christians AND South Americans? We be breaking stereotypes like crazy on poverty rock!

Posted by piojin on October 29, 2009 at 11:46 PM