CONTACT: 
Mary Hall, Thurston County Auditor  
TCAuditor@co.thurston.wa.us 
360.786.5224 
711 Washington Relay   

OLYMPIA – Considering recent arson at ballot drop boxes, we want to assure Thurston County voters that drop boxes remain the safest and most secure way to return your ballot.                                                                                                                                 

Our ballot drop boxes are built with thick, quarter-inch steel and are anchored to the ground, making them incredibly durable and resistant to tampering. These boxes weigh hundreds of pounds, and their design has proven resilient even under extreme conditions.

Thurston County has been proactive in ensuring the safety of our ballots. We’ve equipped our ballot drop boxes with fire suppression devices. These are the same devices used in the ballot drop boxes in Multnomah County, which were instrumental in minimizing the impact of the recent fire.

In response to these incidents, we are taking additional precautions. This weekend, we are adding extra ballot pickup routes to ensure your ballots are collected safely and promptly. Furthermore, on election night, our ballot drop box collection teams will be followed by Thurston County Sheriff Deputies to provide added security.

We offer a secure, indoor ballot drop box at our Voting Centers, located at 2915 29th Ave SW, Tumwater, WA, in the Mottman neighborhood and at the Lacey Timberland Regional Library. Voting Center hours are available here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/auditor/elections/november-5-2024-general-election

We urge all voters to use VoteWA.gov to check the status of their ballots. Transparency and trust are the cornerstones of our election process, and we are committed to protecting the integrity of your vote.

Thank you for voting and for your confidence in the election process.

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