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Last Minute Tips For Voting In Election 2014

Neighborhood Centers
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Flickr

It’s election week. Northwest election officials project 60 percent of registered voters are likely to cast a ballot this mid-term election.

Credit Neighborhood Centers / Flickr
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Flickr

If you’re an Oregon voter, the main message is ballots have to be in by 8 p.m. on Election Night. That means at this point don’t trust the postal service -- instead walk your ballot into your county elections office or use an official ballot drop box.

Washington is more lenient. Ballots just have to be postmarked by Election Day. But at this point the Secretary of State’s office also recommends using a drop box.

While voters in Oregon and Washington cast their ballots by mail or drop box, most Idaho voters still go to the polls. For them the main reminder is bring your ID to the polls. If you don’t have your ID, you can still vote but you have to sign an affidavit.

Tim Hurst, chief deputy in the Idaho Secretary of State’s office, said Washington and Oregon’s all vote-by-mail holds some appeal.

“The Secretary of State and the County Clerks think it’s a great idea," he said. “The legislature’s not sold on it yet.”

Hurst noted Idaho does allow Election Day voter registration with a photo ID and proof of residence.

Copyright 2014 Northwest News Network

Austin Jenkins
Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."