Seattle Central’s campus is already a hub of political activity on Capitol Hill. (Image: CHS)

Capitol Hill is finally getting its very own ballot drop box. A King County Elections rep tells CHS the department has settled on Seattle Central College for the new location. The exact site on the Broadway campus is still being finalized.

King County Elections had also considered a drop box at the Capitol Hill Library as part of its 43-box expansion to boost voter turnout. In a 132-page report (PDF) released earlier this year, the county said a Capitol Hill drop box would be part of “14 additional locations rated as feasible or desirable.” 29 additional boxes were deployed during the August primary, which also brought an end to the county’s use of ballot-drop vans.

Drop boxes will open October 20th, a day after ballots are sent in the mail, and close at 8 PM on election day. Ballot drop boxes are typically not staffed, but King County Elections is considering staffing some locations depending on expected turnout. The new boxes will cost around $240,000.

Ballot drop box use went up significantly in the August primary, with 36% of all ballots returned at drop-off areas.

In 2011, Washington shifted to all-mail elections but the percentage of eligible voters participating in the 2014 midterm election fell below 40%. According to the county’s proposal, the ballot drop boxes are especially important for last-minute voters.

43% of registered voters in the 43rd District cast ballots in the August primary.

In November, Capitol Hill residents be casting votes in the 43rd District state House race and the 7th Congressional District race, plus a handful of statewide seats (oh, and filling in a bubble for POTUS, too).