Election Day has arrived: Have you dropped off or mailed in your ballot?

Today is Election Day... the first stage of the 2010 general election in Washington State. (Sam Reed's office calls it a primary, but it's unfortunately not a real primary, so we are trying to avoid calling it that). If you have not yet voted — and are able to — we at NPI urge you to make some time to fulfill your civic duty today. Several contests for judicial office may or will be decided, and Democratic and Republican precinct committee officers will be chosen.

Your ballot must be postmarked by today for it to count, so if you are planning on going to the post office, don't wait. You also have the option of taking your ballot to a drop box if you live in downtown Seattle, Bellevue, or Tukwila, or have business in one of those cities during the day today. Drop boxes are located at:

• Tukwila, King County Elections, 9010 East Marginal Way S, 98108
• Bellevue City Hall 450 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, 98009
• Seattle, Union Station 401 S. Jackson St, Seattle, 98104

Each of these drop sites will be accepting ballots until 8 PM tonight.

King County Elections will release results tonight at 8:15 PM; other counties will be on different release schedules. We'll be bringing you live coverage of the returns beginning shortly after 8 PM.