OLYMPIA — In an effort to empower Washington residents and ensure informed participation in the upcoming general election, the Office of the Secretary of State is participating in National Voter Education Week (NVEW) from Oct. 7-11. The weeklong initiative focuses on equipping voters with the knowledge and resources needed to confidently vote this November. Voters in WA State can visit VoteWA.gov to check the status of their registration, track their ballot, and view their voter’s guide.
National Voter Education Week is a nonpartisan campaign aimed at helping voters understand the election process, from registering to casting a ballot. More information on NVEW can be found on their website.
“An informed electorate is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy,” Secretary Hobbs said. “It is important that voters seek out trusted resources when researching election information. Each election season, we see increasing attempts by bad actors to spread election misinformation, creating unnecessary barriers to voting.”
In addition to the Office of the Secretary of State’s ongoing “Mark the Ballot” public awareness campaign, which combats misinformation by highlighting the safety and security of Washington’s vote-by-mail process, the Office will be sharing extra voter information and resources across its official social media channels throughout National Voter Education Week to boost voter education and outreach.
Key Elections 2024 Dates:
- Oct. 14 – State Voters’ Pamphlet (the best tool for voting information) will be delivered to every residential address
- Oct. 18 – Deadline for counties to mail out ballots
- Oct. 28 – Online and mailed voter registrations must be received
- Nov 5 – Election Day. All ballots must either be postmarked by today or in an official drop by 8pm to be counted!
Key Election Resources Available:
The Office of the Secretary of State offers resources on its website for eligible voters to find their local county elections office, ballot drop box and voting center locations, and other resources.
- Voter Registration and Updates: Eligible voters can register securely online, by mail with a paper form, or at a county elections office.
- Ballot Information: In addition to the statewide Voters’ Pamphlet mailed to every Washington household, voters can head to the Office of the Secretary of State’s Elections webpage to access a customized Voters’ Guide to learn more about the candidates and ballot measures. Digital and audio versions of the Voters’ Pamphlet, as well as a Video Voters’ Guide, are also available.
- Ballot Drop Box and Voting Center Locations: Voters can find official ballot drop box and voting center locations nearest to their registered address by logging into VoteWA.gov. A complete map of drop boxes and voting centers for the Nov. 5 General Election is available on the Office of the Secretary of State’s Elections webpage.
“Voters have the power to shape the future of our state, and it’s essential that they have access to accurate and reliable information,” said Secretary Hobbs. “I encourage voters to take advantage of the resources available through their state and local election officials to stay informed and ensure their voices are heard this November.”
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office operates the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, and administers the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees and the ProductivityBoard state employee suggestion program. The Secretary of State also oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.
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