Welcome to Skagit County

April 5th, 2005

SKAGIT COUNTY TO VOTE BY MAIL
10 drop-off locations to be available throughout Skagit County

SKAGIT COUNTY - On Monday April 4, 2005 the Skagit County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution changing Skagit County to a vote-by-mail county. This action:

Resolves security concerns about the use of “electronic voting machines” and permanently preserves voters’ printed paper ballots;
Allows Skagit County to become compliant with the Federal 2002 Help America Vote Act in the most cost efficient and timely manner.

Approximately 10 drop-off locations will be available throughout the county on Election Day to service voters who would like to deposit their ballot with elections officials. The Elections Department at the Skagit County Courthouse will continue to serve as an official poll site, will have voting devices to enable voting for the disabled, and is where voters needing replacement ballots should go to pick up those replacement ballots.

66% of the registered voters in Skagit County currently vote by mail. Elections conducted by mail in Skagit County have historically resulted in significantly higher voter participation. The Commissioners decision resonates with voters in Skagit County who prefer the convenience of voting by mail, preserves a permanent paper record of voters’ choices, and is the most cost efficient solution now and in the long run.