The Snohomish County Elections Division is set to mail ballots on Thursday, Oct. 16, to more than 412,000 voters for the Nov. 5 General Election; Snohomish County conducts all of its elections entirely by mail.

The county’s election office was busy earlier in the week as local voters’ pamphlets, one per household, were mailed on Wednesday. Voters will also be receiving a pamphlet from the Secretary of State covering statewide ballot measures and advisory votes.

This year’s general election features two statewide initiatives, five advisory votes and a South Snohomish County Council position, plus a number of city, school district, fire district, sewer district and other local district positions. County officials are encouraging voters to be an informed by learning about the races and issues on their ballot, reading and following the ballot instructions, using the write-in line for serious office seekers only, signing their ballot envelope and returning their ballot as soon as practical.

Voters choosing to return their voted ballot through the mail must ensure that it is postmarked no later than Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters have the option to return their voted ballot postage-free to any one of 11ballot drop box locations in Snohomish County. Ballots can be deposited at these locations 24 hours a day until 8 pm on Election Day, Nov. 5, although voters are encouraged to return their ballot as soon as practical to avoid wait times on Election Day.

The 24-hour ballot drop boxes locations in South Snohomish County are at 650 Main St. in front of the Edmonds Library and 19100-44th Ave. W. (in front of Lynnwood City Hall) in Lynnwood.

Snohomish County Elections will have accessible voting equipment designed for voters with disabilities available at the Lynnwood Sno-Isle Library on Monday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Lynnwood Sno-Isle Library is located at 19200-44th Ave. W., Lynnwood.

Accessible voting equipment for voters with disabilities will also be available in the County Auditor’s Office Oct. 16 through Nov. 5. The Snohomish County Auditor’s Office is located on the first floor of the Snohomish County Administration Building, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett. Voters may drop their voted ballots at the Auditor’s Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office will have extended hours on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

First-time voters wanting to vote in this election may register in person at the County Auditor’s Office through Monday, Oct. 28. In order to register to vote in the state of Washington, a person must be a citizen of the United States, have lived in Washington State for at least 30 days, be at least 18 years old by Election Day, not be disqualified due to a court order, and not be currently under Department of Corrections supervision for a felony conviction.