The U.S. Postal Service is advising that voters should mail ballots at least seven days prior to the upcoming primary election to account for any unforeseen events or weather issues so the envelope will be postmarked in time, according to a news release from the Lewis County Auditor’s Office.
No stamp is needed to mail a ballot, but it must be postmarked by election day Aug. 5. Voters should be sure to check the last pickup time posted blue USPS mailboxes or at the post office. Any ballots returned with a postal cancellation date after election day will be invalid.
If the ballot is not mailed until election day, the voter should take the ballot packet to a postal clerk inside the post office and have the clerk stamp the envelope with a circular post office cancellation stamp.
Voters are encouraged to use ballot drop boxes. Ballots must be dropped off by 8 p.m. on election day. Drop box locations can be found at elections.lewiscountywa.gov.
Ballots should arrive in mailboxes no later than July 25. If an individual needs a replacement or did not receive a ballot, ballots may be obtained by any of the following methods:
• Online: Go to www.vote.wa.gov, log in and select “Your Ballot & Voting Materials” then “Get a Replacement Ballot” to print a replacement ballot packet
• Call: 360-740-1278 or toll free within Lewis County at 1-800-562-6130, ext. 1278
• In-person: 351 NW North St., Chehalis, WA 98532 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and on election day, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
In addition, the auditor’s office is a voting center and accessible voting units are available during regular business hours and on election day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for assistance to individuals with disabilities and the elderly for registration and voting.
