KITSAP – According to the Washington Office of Secretary of State, 17.8 percent of the ballots for Kitsap County – 27,356 out of a total possible 153,824 – have been received as of Oct. 30.

Elections Director Lori Augino said the return rate is slower than usual (16 percent statewide so far returned), but that she still was optimistic that the prediction of a 46 percent return rate for the state will materialize once all ballots are in-hand next week.

A majority of the ballots will arrive on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with a sizable number even on Thursday. Many voters are using drop boxes, which means they can hold onto their ballots until almost 8 p.m. election night.

In mock election, students say yes to I-1366 and I-1401

While adult voters have until next Tuesday to fill out and return their General Election ballots, about 10,000 of Washington’s K-12 students had their own taste of voting this week when they took part in the annual Mock Election, the state’s largest civic education program.

Students narrowly approved Initiative 1366 (restricting tax increases), as 51.5 percent voted “yes.” A larger majority (76 percent) gave a thumbs-up to I-1401 (trafficking of endangered animals).

This year’s Mock Election attracted 9,959 voters.

“The Mock Election is an excellent way to introduce students to voting and why it’s important,” Secretary of State Kim Wyman said. “I hope this taste of what voting is like will result in a lifetime of civic involvement once they become adults.”

The Mock Election, held online, began Monday morning and ended early Friday afternoon. The annual civics program for Washington students has been conducted by the Office of Secretary of State’s Elections Division since 2004.

Go here http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/student-mock-election.aspx#/results to view the Mock Election results, which can be broken down by county, city or school.

– Edited by Chris Tucker