Don't mail your ballots for the Aug. 21 primary election quite yet.

The Aug. 15 issue of the Times/News will include a question-and-answer section featuring Highline-area candidates who are in primary races.

Ballots were mailed to voters serving in the military, living overseas and out of state on July 20 to allow extra transit time for delivery.

Absentee ballots were sent to all other voters who requested them last week.

"Important decisions about parks [and] fire districts ... are up for a vote on the August 21 primary and it is critical voters remember to make their voices heard one month earlier this year," said Sherril Huff, King County Records, Elections and Licensing Services Division Director.

"Poll voters especially need to adjust their schedules to the earlier primary and plan ahead to make sure their summer plans include voting."

Any poll voter who can't make it to their neighborhood-polling place can request an absentee ballot by phone at 206-296-VOTE (8683) or online at King County Elections' Web site www.metrokc.gov/elections/absentee/onetime_form.htm.

Voters who do not receive their absentee ballot in the mail by Friday, Aug. 10 should call 206-296-VOTE.

Huff projects a 29 percent overall turnout of King County's 993,515 registered voters, a turnout consistent for previous odd-year elections.