Tuesday, Nov. 6, is the last day to turn in ballots for the general election. Besides the U.S. president and state races such as governor, local issues such as a Bellingham low-income housing levy and expanding the Port of Bellingham commission are on the ballot.

More than half of registered voters in Whatcom County had returned their ballots by 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5. The count was 67,895 ballots out of 125,293, or 54 percent, according to the Auditor's Office.

Voters mailing ballots must ensure they are postmarked no later than Tuesday. The Auditor's Office anticipates "several hundred" ballots could come in too late to be counted, election observer Jim Fox said.

Ballots also may be taken to drop-box locations in the county:

• Blaine Library, 610 Third St.

• Deming Library, 5044 Mount Baker Highway.

• Everson WECU, 106 E. Main St.

• Ferndale City Hall, 2095 Main St.

• Lynden Library, 216 Fourth St.

• Meridian Middle School, 861 Ten Mile Road

• County Courthouse south parking lot, 201 Grand Ave., Bellingham (one block south of courthouse)

Drop boxes close promptly at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

A large majority of county ballots should be counted by the end of this week, Fox said. Election staff will continue to count any remaining ballots until the county certifies the election on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

GET RESULTS ONLINE

Results from Whatcom County races will be posted at our election results page starting shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday. Updates from the race for U.S. president and other races across the country will be posted during the day as soon as information is available.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-715-2289. Read the Politics Blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics.