Voters in Black Diamond will no longer have to drive to deposit their ballots in one of the official drop box dotting the electoral landscape.

During a brief ceremony the afternoon of Oct. 15, city and county officials celebrated the landing of a new drop box at the Black Diamond branch of the King County Library System. The library sits at 24707 Roberts Drive on the city’s north side.

Mayor Carol Benson cut a ceremonial ribbon while council members Bernie O’Donnell, Erin Stout and Melissa Oglesbee looked on. The afternoon event also brought out King County Elections Supervisor Julie Wise and KCLS Executive Director Lisa Rosenblum.

The addition of the Black Diamond drop box marks 73 permanent locations throughout the county. Until now, to slip their completed ballots into a secure drop box, residents would drive to either the Enumclaw library or the Tahoma School District administration building – the two closest boxes.

With this year’s election cycle headed by a contentious presidential race, King County is anticipating a voter turnout of perhaps 90 percent. That would equate to almost 1.3 million ballots cast in King County, a record-breaking turnout; the previous best was an 85 percent turnout for the 2012 general election, also involving a presidential battle.

Registered voters throughout King County should have their ballots in hand, as the Elections Department put them in the mail Oct. 14. Ballots can be returned three ways:

• drop boxes will be available until 8 p.m. Election Day, Nov. 3;

• for those using the mail, it’s recommended that ballots be returned as soon as possible but no later than Oct. 28, as they must be postmarked by Nov. 3;

• voters who need help completing their ballots can take advantage of one of the county’s Vote Centers. The centers have staff and equipment to serve those who need to get registered or update their registration after the online deadline passes on Oct. 26. Centers are found in Bellevue, Federal Way, Kenmore, Kent and Renton, plus two in Seattle.