Live updates: Whatcom County sees thousands register to vote leading up to Election Day
Whatcom County saw thousands of people register to vote in the days leading up to and on Election Day 2024.
Just about a week ago, Whatcom County had about 165,000 registered voters. By the afternoon of Nov. 5, 2024, Whatcom County had about 167,000 registered voters, according to Whatcom County Auditor Stacy Henthorn.
That number was only expected to increase as hundreds of people stood in long lines all day at the County Courthouse on Tuesday waiting to register to vote.
“People are coming in and registering to vote, which is wonderful,” Henthorn said in an interview with The Bellingham Herald.
One hundred-fifty individuals registered to vote Saturday. Another 607 registered to vote on Monday, and 771 additional people had registered to vote by Tuesday afternoon, Henthorn told The Herald.
“We are very excited that we have so many citizens of Whatcom County and Washington State that are here, excited about registering to vote and casting their ballot,” Henthorn said.
By Tuesday afternoon, 122,000 ballots had already been accepted in Whatcom County.
Whatcom County has been voting by mail since 2005. Voters get their ballots mailed to them 20 days ahead of Election Day.
“Washington State is fine-tuned in the process (of voting by mail.) It gives (voters) time to go ahead and research the initiatives and candidates so that they are making a wise choice when casting their vote,” Henthorn said.
Registered voters may return their ballot in an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday or return it by mail postmarked by Nov. 5.
Ballot processing in Whatcom County is done in the basement of the County Courthouse and is live-streamed 24/7 via multiple webcams.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 5:36 PM.
