The King County Library System (KCLS), King County Elections (KCE) and Black Diamond city leaders, including Mayor Carol Benson and councilmember Bernie O’Donnell, inaugurated Black Diamond’s first ballot drop box at the Black Diamond Library with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The celebration took place on the same day drop boxes across King County opened for ballots.
Said KCE Director Julie Wise, “At King County Elections, we’ve made it our mission to make voting easy and accessible. Back in 2016, we only had 10 ballot drop boxes. As of this year we have 73 drop boxes, including in Black Diamond, where voters can deliver their ballots and make sure their voices are heard.”
The Black Diamond Library drop box installment is part of King County’s initiative to improve voter access and convenience in rural and often overlooked communities.
In recent months, KCE has installed three additional drop boxes, with the newest locations at the Carnation Library, South Seattle College and in Renton on Powell Avenue across from KCE headquarters. More than 96% of King County residents live within three miles of a location.
"KCLS is proud to partner with King County Elections to increase access to ballot drop boxes throughout our large county,” added KCLS Executive Director Lisa Rosenblum. “We know Black Diamond and Carnation residents will appreciate the convenience of having drop boxes in their communities during election season."
"Thank you to King County Elections Director Julie Wise for working to increase access to in-person voting for the people of Black Diamond," said King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn. "I'm glad to see an effort to increase voter engagement in rural areas of King County, and I encourage everyone to study the issues on your ballot and exercise your right to vote!"
Ballots were mailed to King County’s 1.4 million registered voters yesterday. Voters who have not received their ballots by October 19 should call KCE at (206) 296-VOTE (8683) or email elections@kingcounty.gov. Voters can find their nearest drop box here. Ballots must be returned to a ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
With nearly 450,000 ballots expected back through drop boxes on Election Day alone, voters are encouraged to vote early to avoid long lines and traffic.
