Mercer Island is one of 10 locations in King County where Republican voters can turn in their ballot to a GOP Victory Van. The mobile van program is a get-out-the-vote effort of the King County Republican Party.

While the county elections department advises voters to take their ballots to official drop-off locations or use the U.S. Postal Service, the practice of collecting ballots for delivery is legal.

“It’s an extension of our voter outreach,” said Lori Sotelo, King County Republican Party chairman. “The response from the Republicans that we’re speaking with is they’re happy to have us there and happy about the effort.”

The mobile vans are intended to serve Republicans who are seeking information about GOP-endorsed candidates and to assist them with returning their ballots, the King County Republican Party website states.

“We think our candidates are some of the best in many, many years, and we’re trying to do whatever we can to support them,” Sotelo said.

The GOP Victory Van has been on Mercer Island for the past four days.

“A lot of people have come by to say they’ve already sent their ballots in,” said Sandy Ripley, the Mercer Island GOP Victory Van canvasser.

The GOP Victory Van, next to Mercerdale Park on S.E. 32nd Street, is collecting ballots on Mercer Island until 6:30 p.m. tonight.