Demystifying Washington's Election Process

It is primary election day in Washington state, and while we'll have to wait for returns to answer big questions like what will happen to two Republican representatives who voted for Trump's impeachment, or who will make it to the general election in the purple 8th Congressional District, we can look into voting itself, an act which increasingly seems under threat.

If there's one thing Kyle Haugh wants you to know, it's that he really likes to talk about elections.

"Our team loves elections," said Haugh, the Pierce County elections supervisor. "We love teaching about elections. We love giving tours and speaking with our political party observers."

Haugh stressed that being an election official is a 365 days a year job. His team will be working on counting primary ballots until Aug. 16. Then there's the general election, and then there's planning for the next election.

When asked specifically about today's primary, Haugh said that turnout appears low.

"We're at about 20% as of this morning," Haugh said. "We were hoping to be at 35% for this election."

Haugh noted that, two years ago, turnout was at 50% in the primary.

"We're hoping voters have just been waiting," Haugh said, "and now that it's not so hot today, at least here in Pierce County and Tacoma, maybe voters will make their way to a drop box."

Haugh spoke with Soundside about the voting process and what happens to your ballot leading up to and on Election Day.