State officials predict 83 percent will vote

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Story Published: Oct 13, 2008 at 4:21 PM PDT

By Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Secretary of State Sam Reed is predicting 83 percent voter turnout in November.

If he's right, it would be the best showing for the general election in more than six decades. Ballots will be sent out Friday to most of the state's more than 3.5 million registered voters.

Reed said Monday that the turnout number is based on the high level of interest in the presidential and governor's races and ballot measures, as well as the recent surge in voter registrations. Counties also have predicted high turnout, with six counties saying their turnout could be 90 percent or higher. They are Columbia, Island, Jefferson, Lincoln, San Juan and Wahkiakum.

The statewide general election turnout average since 1936 is 78.85 percent. The previous record in modern times was 84.5 percent in 1944.

Many voters will receive the ballots on Saturday or next Monday. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 4.

Thirty-seven of the state's 39 counties are voting entirely by mail. King and Pierce Counties still have poll sites, though a majority of voters in those counties already vote by mail.

In the August primary, 95 percent of all votes were submitted by mail. Overall, the statewide turnout for the primary was nearly 43 percent.

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