OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General’s Office have released a new guide for county election officials which outlines state and federal roles in election administration. As the federal government continues to push falsehoods about the security of elections systems, the guide is intended to support county election officials with any potential interactions with federal officials in the lead up to the Nov. 3 General Election.
“This year, it is clear that Washington election officials must be prepared to handle inquiries and interactions with the federal administration, on top of the significant work it takes to administer a secure and accurate election,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “Supporting county election partners’ preparedness is one of my top priorities. That includes making sure they have clear, practical guidance when questions arise.”
In Washington, elections are primarily administered by each county. Local election officials prepare, mail, and count ballots. In recent months, local election officials have requested guidance in the event of interactions with federal personnel at voting centers or other facilities.
“Washington state elections are successful thanks to the tireless efforts of local elections workers in all 39 counties. Their work is as important and demanding as ever in our current political climate, and the state is ready to support them,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “We hope this guidance is a useful resource as we all work together to continue Washington’s tradition of having one of the most secure elections systems in the country.”
The guide, titled “Election administration: a guide to federal and state authority”, was distributed to county elections offices on Thursday, Sept. 3. It covers state authority and roles in election administration, responding to federal investigations of election offices, and other potential federal actions.
The Office of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General’s Office developed the guide to help county election officials understand legal authorities, processes, and considerations that may apply when federal officials interact with Washington state’s election processes.
For example, the guide includes descriptions of the different federal personnel election officials may encounter, advice for how to respond to a subpoena or a verbal request for information, and clarification that federal law enforcement personnel cannot legally be deployed to intimidate voters.
The guide is intended as a preparedness resource to help election officials understand their responsibilities and respond appropriately to different circumstances.
The Office of the Secretary of State and the Attorney General’s Office remain committed to supporting the administration of safe, secure, and accurate elections across Washington state.
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 Productivity Board state employee suggestion program. The Secretary of State oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime and the Civic Engagement Program to increase governmental trust and participation for all Washingtonians.