Okanogan County Auditor’s Office began opening and scanning early ballots today at 9 am, according to Chief Deputy Auditor Jamie Groomes. The office began checking signatures on Wednesday.
Groomes said her office will not tabulate or count any ballots until 8pm on Election Day.
Ballots can be mailed or deposited in drop boxes throughout the county. In the Methow Valley, that would be the ballot drop box next to Twisp City Hall or the drop box next to the Winthrop library.
Katie Haven, Chair of the Okanogan Democrats, said her volunteers told her the auditor’s office has received a large number of early ballots.
Ballots will be accepted in drop boxes until 8 pm on Nov. 5. Mailed in ballots must be postmarked by this date.
A random audit will take place Nov. 7 at 2 pm, which will consist of a hand count of 3 precincts for one office or race. The precincts and office/race are selected by the Okanogan County Republican and Democratic parties. If they cannot agree or do not submit their preference, the auditor’s office will choose.
The audit will be live streamed on YouTube but not saved. Anyone wishing to observe an audit needs to call the Auditor’s Office in advance at 509-422-7244.
No video or photo images are allowed of the audit.
Ballots will be stored for 22 months and then destroyed, according to Groomes.
