This election is one for the record books

Biggest turnout ever in county history

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Thurston County voters have returned more ballots this election than during any other election in history, the county’s Auditor’s Office announced on Twitter Saturday night. The record was broken days before an expected rush of voters on Election Day.

With over 139,000 ballots returned, Thurston County beat its previous record of 135,966 ballots returned in the 2016 general election.

There are also more registered voters in Thurston County than at any other time. The Thurston County Auditor’s Office had a goal this election cycle to reach 200,000 registered voters, a milestone the county reached on Oct. 26.

Unprecedented numbers have popped up again and again this election cycle, as early voter turnout has already broken previous records. Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall said turnout could hit 90 percent when all is said and done — nearly 4 percent higher than the current record set in 2008.

Such high levels of voter turnout are likely to lead to a busy Election Day. Officials expect long lines and extended waiting times at the voting information center tomorrow. Moved from the courthouse to the South Puget Sound Community College campus to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure, the campus has been outfitted with signs to direct the flow of traffic. County public works staff are working on-site to help manage the flow of cars. People can register and vote without leaving their car. Hall said campus security and off-duty sheriff’s deputies will assist the flow of traffic on Election Day.

Temporary road signs along Highway 101 alert motorists of the voting center. “Voting Center Next Exit,” they read. Yard signs along the route continually point motorists toward the campus, where voters are directed to enter on the Crosby Boulevard Southwest entrance.

In a previous interview, Hall said as many as 1,000 to 2,000 voters are expected to show up to vote on Election Day. Same-day voter registration laws passed last year now allow people to register and vote the same day. Although it’s not entirely clear how this will affect voter turnout, Hall said a study from MIT focused on same-day registration has helped her office create its projections.

With over 1,000 voters expected to show up on Election Day, Hall said Friday she hoped that some voters would come earlier — either on Saturday or else today. On Saturday, 238 people voted at the center.

When a JOLT News reporter arrived at the voting center today just after noon, he was able to enter the Crosby Boulevard entrance and drive all the way up to a waiting poll worker with no waiting cars. A poll worker said they hadn’t seen any long lines at the center today.

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