King County Elections to test pre-paid postage for February ballot measures

  • Thursday, January 26, 2017 11:05am
  • News
King County Elections to test pre-paid postage for February ballot measures

King County Elections is testing pre-paid postage with the Feb. 14 special elections in the City of Maple Valley and the Shoreline School District.

Ballot packets were mailed on Wednesday to voters in both jurisdictions. Each packet includes a return envelope with the postage already paid.

“This is something I’ve wanted to test since I ran for office,” said Julie Wise, King County elections director, in a media release. “Pre-paid postage is another tool to remove barriers to voting and increase convenience – and this pilot will help us understand what it might look like for King County.”

King County Elections is paying for the postage, which will cost about $3,300 for Maple Valley and about $9,000 for the Shoreline School District. Elections is charged only for ballots returned through the U.S. Postal Service.

“We are committed to ensuring a secure, accurate and low-barrier elections system that enables every citizen to fully participate in our democracy,” said King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski.

Objectives for the pre-paid postage pilot include understanding whether or not the process works administratively and to see if more voters return their ballots than in previous elections. Ballot packets include an informational insert explaining that the postage on a voter’s return envelope is paid and that they can immediately return their ballots through the U.S. Postal Service. Ballots can also be brought to one of nine drop boxes open for the election.

“This test of pre-paid postage on ballots underscores our continued efforts to expand voter turnout, including quadrupling the number of ballot drop boxes across King County,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “We want voting to be as easy as possible to ensure our policies and institutions reflect the will of the people.”

There are a total of 64,032 registered voters in Maple Valley and the Shoreline School District. King County Elections estimates a 30 percent voter turnout rate.

Maple Valley will vote on a general obligation bond for park and recreation facility improvements. The Shoreline School District, which includes Lake Forest Park, will vote on a school construction bond.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Cancer Center is open and ready to serve South King County

Cancer patients can now receive treatment at the Valley Medical Center in Renton.

t
Kent officers part of CW ‘Police 24/7’ episode Thursday night, Feb. 6

Department also part of future episodes after CW crews responded on calls with police in 2024

An Amtrak train in Kent. FILE PHOTO, STEVE HUNTER, Kent Reporter
Pedestrian, 30, dies in Kent collision with Amtrak train | Update

Medical examiner identifies Kent man struck Wednesday evening, Feb. 5 near East Titus Street

t
NTSB rules pilot lost control in 2023 Kent small plane crash

Pilot and passenger were injured; pilot flew without receiving training in plane model’s operation

Courtesy Photo, King County
Man receives 35-year sentence for 2021 Kent killing of mother

Duane Bates borrowed pipe wrench from neighbor in beating death and later returned it

A city of Kent Public Works crew member chains up a truck Feb. 3 to help clear snow from streets. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Kent schools closed for 3rd consecutive day due to icy conditions

Kent School District cancels classes on Wednesday, Feb. 5

t
World Relief office in Kent faces challenging refugee crisis

Trump’s executive order to suspend refugee resettlement directly impacts nonprofit

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent schools closed Tuesday, Feb. 4 due to icy roads

Second consecutive day of no school due to road conditions

Courtesy Photo, City of Kent
Kent Severe Weather Shelter to be open nights of Feb. 3-7

Shelter downtown at Holy Spirit Church will operate from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night

t
Kent Police hire officer who fatally shot Kansas man while on duty

Officer previously worked for Olathe Police Department; remains subject of wrongful death lawsuit

Calvin Watts. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, Kent School District
Ex-Kent schools’ superintendent Watts fired from Georgia job

Gwinnett County board terminates superintendent contract; Watts left Kent in 2021 for position