Record number of voters turn out in state ballot

Ballots cast in the state's May 24 election set a record for a presidential primary, according to a report from the Office of Secretary of State.

Spokesman David Ammons said nearly 1.5 million ballots had been received by May 26. The election was May 24, and about 1.36 million had been counted as of Thursday, May 26. All of the 1.5 million that have arrived were postmarked before or on May 24, so they could still be counted.

Ammons added that a number of the remaining ballots statewide will be going to county canvassing boards for approval, and a number were being sent back to voters to collect party declarations.

“The counties are still trying to reach all of those people,” he said.

Ammons said many residents reported being upset with having to declare a party on the ballot. The party declaration also was required to match the party of the candidate voted for on the ballot.

“We haven't done that for eight years,” he said. “I expect there will be quite a few of the 1.5 million that won't be counted.”

The 1.5 million ballots is a record number in Washington. Ammon said 4.1 million ballots were sent statewide, and the return rate was approximately 37 percent. The 2000 primary saw a higher return rate at 42.6 percent; but that percentage accounted for 1.34 million.

“We should easily break the record for ballots cast, but probably not the percentage count,” he said.

In Whitman County, ballots were sent to 21,520 registered voters, and 7,391 of those were returned for a return rate of 34.3 percent.

Counties will certify their election results by June 7, and the state will certify a few days later.