Auditor Matt Beaton: Return ballots soon

PASCO — Election Day is fast approaching along with the deadline for returning ballots.

Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton is encouraging citizens to return ballots prior to the 8 p.m. deadline Tuesday, Aug. 2.

To be counted, ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 2 — if mailed — or delivered by 8 p.m. election day to the election center or an election ballot box.

Ballots can also be returned to the Franklin County Auditor's Office inside the Franklin County Courthouse, 1016 N. Fourth Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The office will be open until 8 p.m. on election day.

24-hour drop boxes are at the following locations:

Connell

Connell Public Utility District shop — 619 W. Clark St.

Kahlotus

Fire Protection District No. 2 — 115 N. Violet Ave.

Mesa

City Hall — 103 Franklin St.

Pasco

Election Center — 116 N. Third Ave.

Franklin County Courthouse parking lot — 1016 N. Fourth Ave.

Fire Protection District No. 3 — 2108 Road 84

TRAC Center — 6600 Burden Blvd.

With only five days remaining until election day, Beaton suggests dropping off ballots in a ballot box to assure counting as soon as possible.

Preliminary election returns will be available shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday night, Aug. 2.

Properly postmarked, late-arriving mailed ballots will be counted on subsequent days prior to certification.

Only the Top 2 candidates in each race advance to the Nov. 8 general election.