King County reported Tuesday it had 74.8 percent turnout in the November elections, which is the county's highest turnout for a midterm election in over 20 years.
King County Elections Director Julie Wise said in a statement she was "encouraged and excited" about King County's historic turnout.
"King County continues to strive for more inclusive elections by providing prepaid postage and more ballot drop boxes," Wise said. "Our democracy works best when all of its citizens can exercise their most basic right to vote.”
About a week out from the elections, King County had projected about a 60 percent turnout, according to King County Elections spokesperson Kafia Hosh.
Statewide turnout is about 71.8 percent, although the Secretary of State’s Office won’t certify the votes until Friday.
San Juan Island County had the highest turnout in the state, with 83.8 percent of registered voters participating. Turnout in San Juan County was better than the last three midterm elections, although it didn’t beat the county’s highest turnout of 91.5 percent in the 2008 presidential election.
“Our registered voters were sure to have their voices heard,” said Camolyn Armstrong, San Juan County elections supervisor.
Election officials have pointed to pre-paid postage as one factor in high midterm turnout. Although pre-paid postage was tested in two special elections last year and implemented statewide in the primary, this was the first general election that voters could drop their ballot in the mail without a stamp.
King County reported that 60 percent of ballots were returned by mail in the 2018 midterms, which was higher than the last two general elections.
