How Ballots are Processed in Whatcom County

1. Assembling & mailing the ballot packet
   Ballot packets include a ballot, security sleeve, return envelope and informational insert. Additional extracts are sent weekly for any recently added or updated registrants.
2. Voting your ballot
   You have until election day to vote and return your ballot. Return your ballot in: 
   1. A ballot drop box by 8:00 pm on election day
   2. The mail, postmarked by election day 
3. Collecting returned envelopes
   Ballot return envelopes are collected from official drop boxes and the Post Office. Ballot return envelopes returned in a drop box are prepped for the Agilis Envelope Sorter and placed into trays. Ballot return envelopes returned though the postal service go directly to the envelope sorter.
   Watch sorting envelopes into trays in the Auditor’s Vault livestream
4. Agilis Envelope Sorter
   The envelope sorting machine takes a picture of the signature on the return envelope, to be used during signature verification. It also scans the barcode on the return envelope, which will mark the ballot as being Received. Watch envelope sorting machine in the Election Center livestream
5. Checking the signature on the return envelope
   All signatures are checked before the ballot can be counted. We compare the signature on the return envelope with the signature(s) we have on file for each voter. If the signature does not match, or is unsigned, the voter will be mailed a letter to correct the issue, and contacted by phone after Election Day. Ballots without a signature issue are Accepted, ballot envelopes with a signature issue are Rejected.
6. Opening the ballots
   Ballots are put into groups for processing. First the security sleeve containing the ballot is removed from the return envelope. Ballots returned without a security sleeve are counted. Once separated, the identity of the voter is unknown to ensure your votes remain private. Secondly, ballots are removed from the security sleeve and inspected. Workers are inspecting the ballot to ensure the votes marked will be read by the scanning equipment. Ballots needing additional adjudication/review are flagged.
   Watch opening the ballot in the Election Center livestream
7. Scanning the ballot
   The ballots are scanned. Images are stored on a secure and closed system (no internet access). Once scanned, the ballots are kept in a sealed, tamper evident bag. Watch ballot scanning livestream
8. Reviewing the ballot
   After scanning, the electronic images are viewed. Reviewers are adjudicating ballots by reviewing overvotes (more than one choice marked), undervotes (no choices marked), and write-ins. Workers use the Voter Intent Manual to ensure decisions are made consistently.  Any unresolved ballots are reviewed by the Canvassing Board. Watch adjudication livestream
9. Reporting results
   Results of the election are unknown until after 8:00 pm on election day. Tabulation occurs at 8:00 pm election night, and posted to our website soon after. Results are uploaded daily as long as there are enough ballots to be counted.