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Auditor: turnout low so far; pilot ballot box has technical issues and is grant‑funded
Summary
Cowlitz County's auditor reported about 17% turnout to date and described problems with a grant‑funded pilot ballot box (envelope‑size and sensor issues); the box cost is cited at $12,500 and the vendor is working to resolve issues.
The county auditor reported low turnout for the primary and described problems with a new, grant‑funded ballot deposit box being piloted in Cowlitz County.
Carolyn said turnout was at about 17% and that the office expects returns to rise before final turnout figures, estimating a mid‑30s final turnout if the usual patterns hold. On precinct technology, Carolyn said the county is the first in Washington state to test the new box and that the device was designed for other states and is not fully compatible with local envelope sizes; she noted the vendor and the secretary of state's office are engaged in troubleshooting. "We have not paid a penny on this box, but it will be funded with grant dollars once it's working as promised," Carolyn said, adding the total cost is about $12,500.
Carolyn described how a voter inserted an envelope crookedly and staff had to help it feed; she cautioned that the vendor must adapt the sensor and barcode reader for Washington's smaller envelope format. The auditor said the office will continue to use the device during the general election while vendor fixes are implemented.
