Primary ’12 Election Day — ‘1. Sorting ballots 2. Opening ballots 3. Scanning ballots’

Yes, the excitement of the democratic process is sweeping across Capitol Hill’s desktops today. Tune into King County’s election center web cams to be part of the party. Election Days aren’t quite what they used to be but if you see anything interesting and “get out the vote” related going on around the Hill, let us know. Below, some news and notes about the final hours of the August 2012 primary election.

County sez:

Don’t be late, return your ballot right away. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Aug. 7 or returned at a drop box or Accessible Voting Center (AVC) by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 7. If you’re mailing your ballot, make sure your post office is picking up mail in time for it to be postmarked by Aug. 7. Anything later will be too late and your ballot won’t be opened and counted. www.kingcounty.gov/elections

The Broadway post office shuts down at 5:30p and a rep advises you drop your ballot off by 5p to ensure the postmark. The rep also said most mailboxes in the area have two pick-ups — one around noon and another around 4p — so, if you waited this long, don’t wait much longer to get it mailed.
You’ll need 45 cents postage.
The closest drop box is downtown. You have until 8p — King County Administration Building, 500 4th Avenue, Seattle 98104
CHS looked at the ballot through a Capitol Hill prism here, considered the library levy here, and met a socialist candidate for state rep here.
The Stranger’s endorsements are here.

The 43rd District Democrats announced their endorsements via Facebook.

Referendum 74 (Marriage Equality): YES

I-502 (Marijuana Legalization): YES (previously endorsed)

I-1185 (Tim Eyman-backed initiative): NO

Seattle City Library Levy: YES

John Urquhart, Sheriff

Bill Bowman, King County Superior Court, Position 19

Scott Johnson, King County Superior Court, Position 20

Patrick Oishi, King County Superior Court, Position 24

Elizabeth J. Berns, King County Superior Court, Position 25

Laura Middaugh, King County Superior Court, Position 26

Sean O’Donnell, King County Superior Court, Position 29

Beth Andrus, King County Superior Court, Position 35

Jean Rietschel, King County Superior Court, Position 36

Ken Schubert, King County Superior Court, Position 40

Judy Ramseyer, King County Superior Court, Position 46

Jay Inslee, Governor (previously endorsed)

Kathleen Drew, Secretary of State

Bob Ferguson, Attorney General

Craig Pridemore, Auditor

Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands

Mike Kreidler, Insurance Commisioner

Jim McIntire, Treasurer

Susan Owens, Supreme Court, Position 2

Steve Gonzalez, Supreme Court, Position 8

Bruce Hilyer, Supreme Court, Position 9

Jamie Pedersen, House, 43rd LD, Position 1

Frank Chopp, House, 43rd LD, Position 2

Barack Obama, President

Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senate

Jim McDermott, U.S. House, 7th District

Adam Smith, U.S. House, 9th District