THE SLUGGISH ELECTION RESULTS IN OUR STATE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN WHATCOM COUNTY, HAS RENEWED CALLS FOR REFORMING WASHINGTON'S VOTE-BY-MAIL SYSTEM.

AS OF YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, 75-HUNDRED BALLOTS IN WHATCOM COUNTY STILL HADN'T BEEN COUNTED.

COUNTY AUDITOR DEBBIE ADELSTEIN SAYS THAT'S DUE TO THE HIGH TURNOUT AND A LARGE NUMBER OF BALLOTS THAT REQUIRE EXTRA ATTENTION.

SHE SAYS VOTERS IN OUR STATE HAVE TO BE COUNTED AS LONG AS THEIR BALLOTS ARE POSTMARKED BY ELECTION DAY, EVEN THOUGH LAST-MINUTE BALLOTS CAN TAKE SEVERAL DAYS TO ARRIVE AT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND BE PROCESSED AND COUNTED.

ADELSTEIN SAYS THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE HAS SUGGESTED REQUIRING MAIL-IN BALLOTS TO BE RECEIVED BY ELECTION DAY, BUT SO FAR THE STATE LEGISLATURE HASN'T BEEN WILLING TO CONSIDER IT.