Ballots counted in new election center

RITZVILLE – The Adams County August 4 primary ballots will be counted in the new election center established at 106 W. Main Street. The ballot-counting equipment was certified July 29 by Heather Sorgen of the Washington Secretary of State's office.

Adams County Elections Administrator Jacque Laird said as of Friday, July 31, 1,636 ballots had been received out of about 7,000 mailed to county voters, including those who had to be sent a letter for ballot or signature verification. Laird said another 160 ballots arrived in Monday's mail, Aug. 4.

Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt said there were a lot of checks and balances in place to keep the election accurate.

"I'm really confident in the process; the checks and balances, and the security," Hunt said, adding that when ballots are picked up from ballot drop boxes, there are always two people present.

The elections center was funded with federal and state grants through the CARES Act 2020 and the Help America Vote Act.

Hunt said the elections center was set up both for ballot security, and in response to the state's mandate to "do what we need to, to run an election in a COVID-19 environment to keep safe and be mindful of social distance." Hunt said Adams County was awarded $239,000, "but we won't be able to spend it all, and will have to return it due to restrictions on the use of the money."

Laird said results cannot be released from the primary until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4. Check the Ritzville Journal online for updates.