Early returns pile up at Clallam ballot boxes

By Sequim Gazette Staff • October 21, 2020 1:30 am

The 2020 General Election saw a cavalcade of early voters in Clallam County, filling ballot boxes in Sequim and Port Angeles.

Residents reported filled boxes at the Sequim drop boxes at the JCPenney parking as well as the Clallam County Courthouse in Port Angeles.

“It’s amazing the number of people dropping off their ballots this weekend,” Clallam County undersheriff Ron Cameron said on Facebook on Oct. 17. “PENCOM has received countless calls about our ballot boxes filled to the brim.

“By the time you read this, election officials will have likely emptied the boxes and will be on top of it going forward,” Cameron said. “In addition, police officers and deputies are standing by the boxes for any security that may be warranted.

“To be clear, there are no problems happening, only an unexpected turnout to the boxes this soon in the election season. That’s a good thing. Exercising the right to vote is one of our most important rights and we will help in ensuring that is preserved and the process is secure as much as we can.”

Ballots went out to registered voters on Oct. 14 and must be postmarked or placed in a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3) to be counted.

U.S. Postal Service representatives are encouraging voters return their ballot at least one week (Oct. 27) before Election Day. Those returning their ballots less than a week before Election Day are encouraged to use an official ballot drop box, which require not postage.

There are eight ballot drop boxes throughout the county that are available 24 hours a day, every day, through Nov. 3.

Sequim ballot drop boxes include the JCPenney parking lot at 651 W. Washington St., and a Carlsborg box near Sunny Farms Country Store, 261416 U.S Highway 101. Find other locations at www.votewa.gov.

Those needing to register, update an address or check on the status of a ballot are encouraged to log onto their Online Voter Registration Portal at www.votewa.gov or go to www.clallam.net/elections.

For more information, call the Clallam County elections office at 360-417-2217.