Need a replacement ballot? Still need to register? Spokane voting centers can help

Presidential elections often get the highest voter turnout, which is already proving true in Spokane County.

With five days left to vote, nearly 48% of the county's roughly 375,000 registered voters have already returned their ballots, according to unofficial statistics provided by the Spokane County Elections Office. That's already more than the number who voted in the August primary.

In the last presidential election in 2020, more than 81% of the county's registered voters cast their vote.

With higher turnout, there's also the chance that more people will need help or have questions. To serve the potentially thousands of people expected to need assistance, the Elections Office is offering two voter service centers in the community.

The centers are meant to help people who:

• Need a replacement ballot
• Still need to register to vote (you can register through Election Day)
• Need to submit their signature for verification after a previous ballot was challenged (signatures often change over time, and ballot signatures must reflect what the office has on file to be counted)
• Want to come drop off their ballot

The downtown center will be located in the Eastern Washington University Catalyst Building at 601 E. Riverside Ave. (Room 309). This voter center won't be open over the weekend, but will be available from 8:30 am to 5 pm on Monday, Nov. 4, and 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day, Nov 5.

The Spokane Valley voter center will be at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place. This location will be open from 8:30 am to 5 pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and from 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day. 

Ballot drop boxes throughout the county will remain open 24 hours per day, and will be locked at 8 pm on Election Day. If you're already standing in line waiting to put your ballot in a box when 8 pm hits, you'll still be allowed to turn it in, but if you hop in line after that you won't be able to cast your vote. Here's where you can find drop box locations.

Ballots can also be returned by mail, and must be postmarked by Nov. 5.