With the 2016 general election on the horizon, King County is hoping its new ballot “drop boxes” – like the one installed at the Enumclaw library – will give voters a greater opportunity to make their voices heard.

Information released by King County Elections shows that was the case during the August primary election. In Enumclaw, the drop box was used by 2,350 voters. Two other drop boxes had been installed prior to August and both had strong numbers, according to King County Elections; a box at the Fairwood library contained 4,091 ballots and a box at the Tahoma School District building contained 3,742 ballots.

“These new boxes saw tremendous usage,” said Julie Wise, director of King County Elections. “This is exactly the convenience we hoped this investment would bring our voters and we’re looking forward to adding 14 more locations for the general election.”

Two new locations will be added prior to November’s general election, one at the Covington library and one at the health clinic in the Renton Highlands.

“The success of these new ballot drop boxes is a positive sign that the communities these boxes serve will be able to access voting during the general election,” King County Councilman Reagan Dunn said. “I look forward to seeing how the new ballot boxes continue to work towards our goal and make voting even more accessible for residents in Southeast King County.”

Earlier this year, the County Council passed legislation aimed at increasing the number of drop boxes throughout the county. Nineteen new drop boxes were made available for the primary election and 14 new drop boxes will be in place for the general election.