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Franklin County election officials are urging voters who still have their ballots to get them turned in before tonight's primary election deadline

Voters are advised to double-check that their ballot envelope is signed and sealed, and to take ballots directly to an official county drop box by 8 p.m.

Voter turnout across Washington state remains around 20 percent, with only one in five registered voters statewide having participated so far

FRANKLIN COUNTY — Franklin County election officials are urging voters who still have their ballots to get them turned in before tonight's primary election deadline.

Voters still holding onto their ballots should double-check that their ballot envelope is signed and sealed before turning it in. Election officials recommend taking ballots directly to an official county drop box by 8 p.m. tonight to ensure they are received before the deadline.

If voters choose to use the mail today, election officials say they should go inside the post office and ask to have their ballot hand-stamped with today's postmark. This step ensures that the ballot will be counted even if it arrives after election day, as long as it is postmarked by today.

Matt Beaton, Franklin County Auditor, emphasized the importance of voting. "I suggest people get out and vote at this point. And, you know, we've only have one and five of registered voters to this point that have participated," Beaton said.

The low voter turnout is consistent with patterns seen across Washington state, where turnout remains around 20 percent. Statewide, only one in five registered voters have participated in the primary election so far.

The primary election is a critical step in the electoral process. The top two vote-getters in each contest will advance to the November general election. This means that voters who participate in the primary have a direct influence on which candidates will appear on the general election ballot.

For voters who have not yet submitted their ballots, tonight's deadline represents the final opportunity to participate in the primary election. Election officials stress the importance of following proper procedures to ensure that ballots are counted.

Key steps for voters submitting ballots today include:

Verifying that the ballot envelope is properly signed and sealed

Taking the ballot directly to an official county drop box by 8 p.m.

If mailing the ballot, going inside the post office to request a hand-stamp with today's postmark

Voters who are unsure about their ballot status or have questions about the submission process can contact the Franklin County Elections Office for assistance.

The reminder from election officials comes as the primary election enters its final hours. With voter participation remaining low across Washington state, officials are making a final push to encourage voter participation before tonight's deadline.