Ballots must be returned to a county drop box or voting center by 8 p.m. Aug. 6, or, if mailed using the postage-paid envelope included with every ballot, postmarked by Aug. 6 to be accepted

OLYMPIA — Washington’s county elections offices will mail ballots by Friday and open official ballot drop boxes for the more than 4.8 million registered voters across Washington to participate in the Aug. 6 primary election.

Ballots must be returned to a county drop box or voting center by 8 p.m. Aug. 6, or, if mailed using the postage-paid envelope included with every ballot, postmarked by Aug. 6 to be accepted. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing ballots back a week before Election Day. Ballots can also be securely returned via the 599 official drop boxes and voting centers administered by county governments.

All 39 counties have races on the ballot in this election, with 654 elected offices and 94 local measures going before voters. The top two vote-getters for each office will move on to the General Election in November.

“This election is an opportunity to make important decisions that affect us locally and statewide,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “I encourage all registered voters to use the state’s comprehensive system of trustworthy resources to participate in this election.”

County elections officials provide voters’ pamphlets with election information directly to residences in their jurisdiction.  All voters can use VoteWA.gov to see their personalized Voters’ Guide, check their ballot status and find official drop box locations. Voters can also sign up for text notifications by texting “VOTE” to 868392. Message and data rates may apply.

Voters who have not yet registered can still participate in the August 6 Primary. Online registration and updates via VoteWA.gov must be submitted by July 29. In-person registration at county elections offices and voting centers is also available until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

“The Office of the Secretary of State is committed to providing equitable opportunities for your voice to be heard in every election,” Secretary Hobbs said. “I’m proud of the accessible, secure, and trustworthy process that we work with 39 county elections offices to provide throughout the state.”

Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office operates the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, and administers the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees and the Productivity Board state employee suggestion program. The Office of the Secretary of State also oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.