It seems like we just counted the last of the November ballots and put the election equipment away, but any day now, most Washington voters will be getting ballots in the mail for the February 9 election.

The state Elections Division has tallied it up: 254 measures are on the ballot in 37 counties, mostly special property tax levies for support of local schools.  Most of the state’s 3.5 million registered voters will take part, although Ferry and Pend Oreille counties don’t have a February election this year and portions of other counties won’t have elections. Check at MyVote  and with your County Auditor to find out what you’re voting on.King County alone is sending out nearly 1.1 million ballots, and predicts a return rate of about 35 percent. All counties are voting by mail, except for a small percentage of Pierce County, where polling places will remain an option in some areas.  Other jurisdictions will vote on April 27, and in case of second levy attempts, May 18 is available to school districts.

For folks not currently registered in Washington, Monday is the last day to register in-person at the county elections office and get a Feb. 9 ballot.  March 29 is the deadline for online and paper registration or to update address or name, in order to vote in the April election.

Secretary of State Sam Reed is urging voters to “step up to the plate” and vote:

“The springtime elections don’t get the attention of the primary and general election, but the school levies and other local government issues have great meaning to our communities.  Regardless of your position on these important matters, we hope you will avail yourself of this opportunity to have YOUR voice heard.”