Primary election Tuesday: Voters urged to use drop boxes over mail in Walla Walla County
By Dan Thesman on Monday, August 3rd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA COUNTY — As Tuesday’s primary election approaches, election officials in Walla Walla County are urging voters to return their ballots promptly, emphasizing the critical importance of using local drop boxes rather than the mail for last-minute submissions.
While ballots returned by mail carry no charge for postage, they must be postmarked by election day, Aug. 4 to count. However, with time running out, election officials strongly advise against relying on postal mail due to potential postmark delays. Instead, voters should drop off their ballots directly at one of the 10 official drop box locations situated across the county, which are open 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on election night. Drop box locations include local city halls, fire stations, school district properties, and the county health department. An additional drop box and accessible voting center are located inside the Walla Walla County Courthouse lobby at 315 W. Main St.
The primary election features several key local races that will shape county administration. On the ballot are countywide offices including county assessor, county auditor, county clerk, County Commissioner District No. 3, county coroner, county prosecuting attorney, county sheriff, and county treasurer. Voters will also decide on candidates for Federal Congressional District 5, State Legislative District 16 positions, four Washington State Supreme Court seats, and local precinct committee officers.
Under Washington’s primary system, the top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the General Election regardless of party preference. Official ballot processing is already underway, with preliminary election results scheduled to be released shortly after 8 p.m. on election night.
