OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom and Skagit County voters have climbed above the state average in ballot return rates.

The Washington Secretary of State’s Office says that as of Friday, Nov. 1, just over 50% of voters have cast their ballots in Whatcom County. Skagit County clocked in with a 49% ballot return rate. Both counties sit just above the statewide return rate, which is a bit over 47%.

Of the ballots that have been processed so far, about 681 have been challenged by Whatcom County elections officials while another 474 are contested in Skagit County.

Ballot drop boxes have been the preferred method of voting in Whatcom County, but over 70% of Skagit County’s ballots have been accepted by mail.

Ballots are due in a drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you choose to mail in your ballot, it must be postmarked by Nov. 5 in order to count.

For more voter information, head to our Elections 2024 tab on our website.