Local leaders came together last week to mark the opening of King County’s latest ballot dropbox at the Kingsgate Library.

Kirkland City Councilmember Toby Nixon, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci and King County Elections Director Julie Wise were on hand Friday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the ballot box.

It is the second box in Kirkland (the other is near the south entrance of Kirkland City Hall), and the 43rd box in King County, according to Wise. “It’s a great opportunity for our voters (to be able to drop off their ballots),” Wise said.

Balducci said she was proud of the fact that approving funding for the ballot boxes to quadruple in number ahead of the national 2016 election was one of her first actions as a councilmember.

“This initiative to increase access for voters … is government at its best,” she said.

Both Nixon and Balducci dropped their ballots in the box after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I’ve been passionate about elections and voting since I was in junior high school,” Nixon said, adding that’s when he first ran for office.

A map of all of the ballot drop boxes can be found online at kingcounty.gov/elections. King County sent out ballots to registered voters last week. Those in need of a replacement ballot or who didn’t receive theirs can request one through King County’s website or by calling 206-296-8683.