OLYMPIA — National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, Sept. 22, and Secretary of State Kim Wyman is encouraging all eligible Washingtonians to register to vote in time for the Nov. 3 General Election.
“As Americans our right to vote is sacred, and it is incumbent upon all of us as citizens to participate in our democracy and make our voices heard,” said Wyman, whose office oversees elections in Washington. “Each year National Voter Registration Day reminds us of our duty to recognize and celebrate every citizen’s role in shaping the future of our state, and our nation.”
Eligible citizens can register online at VoteWA.gov, using either a Washington state driver’s license or I.D. VoteWA.gov is Washington’s online voter portal that also offers ballot drop box and election office locations, a personalized voter guide, and more.
People also have the option of downloading and printing a registration form (available in 23 languages) and sending it via U.S. mail, or visiting a county elections office or voting center to register in person.
Beginning Sept. 21, more than 380,000 Washington residents will receive a postcard from the Office of the Secretary of State Elections Division encouraging them to register to vote. The recipients were identified through Washington’s participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a nonprofit organization that helps states enhance the accuracy of their voter rolls and increase access to voter registration for all eligible citizens.
In order to qualify for the Nov. 3 General Election, the deadline to register online or by mail is Oct. 26. However, people can register in person during business hours and up to 8 p.m. on Election Day at a county elections office.
On Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. PDT, Secretary Wyman and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon will host a live Joint AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) on Reddit and talk about the importance of voting and being prepared for the upcoming election. People who wish to participate can visit @SecStateWa on Twitter Sept. 22 for a link to join this AMA that is part of Reddit’s Voting in America series.
“As we celebrate National Voter Registration Day, we want every eligible Washingtonian to be registered and take part in our elections,” said Lori Augino, elections director, Office of the Secretary of State. “Even if you’re already registered, you, too, can help. Talk to your friends and relatives, and make sure they’re registered, and – if they are – that their registration is up to date.”
National Voter Registration Day is a nationwide, nonpartisan civic holiday aimed at encouraging Americans to register to vote. To learn more, click here.
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of 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 also manages the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.