Ballot Processing FAQ

We take election security and privacy seriously – election integrity is paramount.

Ballots are NEVER thrown away.

Every step of the election process is open to public observation in the Election Center – no appointment necessary.  Visit the Live Webcams page to watch us from home. 

All ballots and election materials are retained and archived in accordance with the retention schedule.

After you return your voted ballot:

• Your signature on the outer return envelope is checked against the signature on file in your voter registration record. If it matches, your ballot is accepted and you are given credit for voting. This ensures that only one ballot from each voter is counted.
• The outer return envelope, which identifies you, is separated from the inner security sleeve, which contains your voted ballot. Your ballot cannot be traced back to you.
• Once the ballots are separated from the security sleeves, they are reviewed for potential scanning issues. If there is damage to the ballot, the ballot is remade by a team of two and the original ballot is retained so that it can be referenced if needed.
• Ballots are scanned and securely stored.
• The first tabulation of votes occurs at 8:00 pm on election day.

All steps of ballot processing are open for public observation. Any member of the public, regardless of political affiliation, is welcome to observe ballot processing in person or by watching on any of our 5 Live Webcams. Find more information about observing at our Observer Resources page.

Whatcom County Elections conducts pre and post audits during each election.

• A Logic and Accuracy test is conducted on our tabulation system before each election to ensure the accuracy of our vote counting equipment. RCW 29A.12.130
• We conduct a post-election batch audit. The audit compares a manual count of ballots to the machine count for six randomly selected batches. RCW 29A.60.185
• Additionally Whatcom County Elections conducts a Risk Limiting Audit (RLA). An RLA makes use of statistical principles and methods, is designed to limit the risk of certifying an incorrect election outcome, and is conducted in accordance with RCW 29A.60.185

We rely on voters to keep their registration records up to date. A previous occupant or family member may have failed to update their voter registration or tell us that they’ve moved. Please mark the ballot as undeliverable and return via the USPS.

When we receive mail that is undeliverable, we will inactivate the voter in our voter registration system. Voters can activate their registration again by going to VoteWA.gov and updating their information or giving us a call at (360) 778-5102.  

You may receive an updated ballot because your residential address or name changed after the initial ballot mailing. Sometimes this happens when you interact with the Department of Licensing for drivers’ licensing services or if you have moved to a new address.

If you receive two ballots, please open both packets. One should have an insert indicating it is a “Replacement/Reissued Ballot.” Please vote and return the replacement ballot. It has the correct races and precinct information for your new address and the initial ballot is suspended.

If you make a mistake and vote the initial ballot, the elections office will simply hold it and ensure that you don’t submit the replacement ballot as well. If the replacement ballot isn’t received, your initial ballot will be counted. 

When a ballot is returned to the election center, we compare the signature on the ballot to the signature on their voter registration. If the signature matches, you are credited for voting in our voter registration system, VoteWA, and will not be able to cast another ballot in that election.

VoteWA is continuously updated by county election workers as well as the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS). The OSOS works with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Licensing, the Department of Health, the Department of Corrections, and the Office of the Administrator of the Courts to improve the accuracy of voter registration data.

The OSOS regularly provides counties with lists of voters who need to be removed from the voter rolls. These lists included deceased voters, voters serving a sentence of total confinement, or voters who may be registered in more than one county.

Additionally, Washington State is a member of ERIC (Electronic Records Information Center) that compares voter registration and motor vehicle license data across 25 other states and the District of Columbia. ERIC uses sophisticated data matching software. ERIC reports can detect when a voter is registered in another state or if they have voted in another state.

Ballots are mailed 20 days before the election, which means you are able to return your ballot at any time during this 20-day period. On average, only 50% of voters return their ballot before the week of the election, meaning many of the ballots are returned the day before the election or on election day and are not included in the election day results post, as they still need to be processed. We also are waiting on ballots that have been sent in the mail or challenged ballots that need to be cured. It is possible that some races may change in the following days, as the remaining ballots are received and counted. Races can widen, narrow or flip. This is normal and well within ranges or statistical probability.