News

OLYMPIA — For the first time in nine years, Washington’s Medals of Merit and Valor will be awarded Wednesday at a ceremony in the state Legislative Building.

The Medal of Merit recognizes exceptional individuals who perform outstanding services for Washington and its residents. The Medal of Valor is awarded to anyone who has saved, or attempted to save, the life of another at the risk of their own safety and is not acting in the course of duty as a Washington police officer, firefighter, or other government-employed first responder.

This year, Secretary… Read more

OLYMPIA — Former Assistant Secretary of State Steve Excell, who served as the Washington State Archivist for nearly a decade and was chief of staff to former Governor John Spellman, died Wednesday at age 74.

“My thoughts are with Steve’s loved ones,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “His legacy of public service and dedication to preserving Washington’s history will reverberate for generations.”

Excell, who retired from the Office of Secretary of State in 2021, was a champion of the pioneering … Read more

The Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) will be represented at Emerald City Comic Con. To join in the festivities and fun, head to booth 11012 to learn more about how our office supports communities statewide… Read more

OLYMPIA — K-12 students across the state can now participate in the 2024 Student Mock Election presented by the Office of the Secretary of State.

The Student Mock Election is a non-partisan, educational event that teaches children to be informed voters. Through the March 12 Presidential Primary, K-12 students in Washington state are welcome to participate by informing the major political parties who they think should be nominated for president.

“This is an… Read more

OLYMPIA — State funding is now available to help local governments improve their records storage through the Washington State Archives’ Local Records Grant Program.

The Local Records Grant Program helps local government agencies upgrade technological resources for records management and better respond to requests for public records. Since its inception in 2005, the program has awarded more than $4.5 million to hundreds of agencies,… Read more

OLYMPIA — Elections offices in 36 Washington counties have distributed ballots to voters who are eligible to participate in the 2024 February Special Election.

Approximately 45.5% of the state’s 4.8 million registered voters can participate in this election, with 239 local measures to be decided including school bonds and levies, hospital districts, and fire district measures. Every Washington county has at least one jurisdiction participating in the February Special Election except for Asotin, Garfield, and Skamania counties.

Ballots must be returned to… Read more

OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Steve Hobbs delivered official notification to the Legislature Thursday that signature verification has been completed and certified for the following Initiative to the Legislature:

The signatures on six Initiatives to the Legislature for the 2024 legislative session have been verified by the Office of the Secretary of State… Read more

OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Steve Hobbs delivered official notification to the Legislature Wednesday that signature verification has been completed and certified for the following Initiative to the Legislature:

The signatures on the remaining pending initiative petition is being verified by the Office of the Secretary of State Elections Division using a state-mandated process of… Read more

OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Steve Hobbs delivered official notification to the Legislature Tuesday that signature verification has been completed and certified for the following Initiative to the Legislature:

The signatures on the remaining two pending initiative petitions are being verified by the Office of the Secretary of State Elections Division using a state-mandated process… Read more

OLYMPIA — After news reports that registered voters in New Hampshire have received fake phone calls simulating President Joe Biden speaking negatively about the Presidential Primary, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs warned Washington voters that deepfakes are an ongoing threat to elections and the voting public.

In a recording… Read more