On July 18, King County Elections mailed ballots to registered voters for the Aug. 7 primary election, with one change this year: ballots will have prepaid postage.

The ballot drop box at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center opened on July 12. Voters must return their ballot to the drop box by 8 p.m. on Aug. 7, or postmark it by Election Day if voting by mail.

You can vote and return your ballot through the U.S. Postal Service as soon as you receive it; no stamp is needed.

There are a few items on this year’s primary ballot, including races for U.S. senator, state and U.S. representative and King County Proposition No. 1, a regular property tax levy for automated fingerprint identification system services.

The U.S. Senate race features 29 candidates, including incumbent Maria Cantwell. The two who earn the most votes will advance to the November general election.

In the 9th Congressional District, incumbent Adam Smith is running against fellow Democrat Sarah Smith and Republican Doug Basler.

There are three candidates for each position in the 41st. Incumbent Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) is running against Republican Tim Cruickshank and Libertarian Nathaniel Deily to retain her seat in Position 1, while Mercer Island City Council member Wendy Weiker is running against fellow Democrat My-Linh Thai and Republican Michael Appleby for Position 2.

If voters have further questions about the primary election, ballots or voting, contact King County Elections at elections@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-VOTE (8683).