Ballots Available and Ballot Drop Boxes Open for the March 12 Presidential Primary Election 

Submitted by Thurston County Auditor

The Thurston County Auditor’s Elections Division mailed more than 190,000 ballots to voters in the county for the March 12 Presidential Primary Election.  

Any registered voter who thinks they should have received a ballot, but hasn’t by Wednesday, February 28 should contact the Elections Division at 360.786.5408 or elections@co.thurston.wa.us. Ballots for military and overseas voters registered in Thurston County were mailed on Friday, January 26.  

Seventeen-year-olds who will turn 18 by November 5, 2024, are eligible to vote in the Presidential Primary Election. These “Primary Only Voters,” who have pre-registered, will automatically receive a ballot, similar to any other voter. If you will turn 18 by the November 5 General Election but have not yet pre-registered, you can register by March 12 and participate in the Presidential Primary Election. See below for voting center information. 

The Elections Division opened 30 secure ballot drop boxes throughout the county. A list of ballot drop box locations and addresses is included in the mailed ballot materials and online at ThurstonWAVotes.gov. Returning your ballot in a drop box is the most secure way to return your ballot. 

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by March 12. Voters are advised to check mailboxes for pickup times to make sure their ballots will be postmarked by Election Day. No stamp is needed to mail your ballot. If you miss your mail pickup time, ballot drop boxes are open until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12 (Election Day). 

The Thurston County Auditor’s Elections Division is a designated voting center beginning February 21. The Voting Center at the Lacey Library will open March 4. Both voting centers will be open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. March 12 (Election Day). Voters may register to vote, update their current registration, obtain a ballot, or use a voting assistance device at the Voting Center. See the chart below for dates and times. Contact the Elections Division for more information.