Election statistics

Since Thurston County went to an all vote by mail, voter participation has increased three to five percent over voting at polling stations. That fact came from Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman who spoke to the Tumwater Rotary Club today.

Wyman said that voters have become predictable in mailing in their ballots. About 15 percent come in on the first two days after the ballots are mailed out. These are mostly political junkies and seniors. About 50 percent come in the final weekend before the election. The rest dribble in during the election cycle.

She also said that about 50 percent of voters drop their ballots into the 10 ballot boxes scattered around the county, with the other 50 percent mailing them in.