News

08/19/2025

Statement from Secretary Hobbs on the Trump Administration’s Intent to Eliminate Mail-In Voting, Voting Machines

OLYMPIA – Secretary of State Steve Hobbs made the following statement following President Trump’s announcement on August 18 that he would sign an executive order to eliminate vote by mail and voting machines ahead of the 2026 midterms:

“The president’s announcement should be rejected for what it is: federal interference in state authority and a direct threat to every eligible American’s right to cast a ballot and have it counted.

08/14/2025

Graduates of Civics Program Aim To Re-Enter Communities As Informed, Active Citizens

The first cohort of incarcerated persons at the Washington Correction Center in Shelton were honored as graduates, Wednesday, August 13, from a Washington Secretary of State pilot program to create pathways for them to reenter their communities as positive participants in public life.

07/21/2025

August 5 Primary Voting Begins In 37 Counties

Approximately 87.4% of Washington’s 5 million registered voters will be eligible to vote in the August primary. Ballots cover 239 races and 59 local measures across the state.

06/17/2025

Legacy Washington’s “Love, Equally” Exhibit Heads to the City of Everett

Love, Equally: The Journey to Marriage Equality was created in 2023 by Legacy Washington, a program within the Washington State Archives and Office of the Secretary of State, to recognize the people, history, and stories who stood at the forefront of LGBTQ civil rights in Washington state.

06/13/2025

Corporations and Charities Division Moving to New Tumwater Location

The Corporations and Charities Division of the Office of the Secretary of State is moving to a new location to better serve its customers.

06/06/2025

Washington State Library’s Research Library, Washington Talking Book & Braille Library Closed to Public Due to Budget Shortfall

Both the research library in Tumwater, Washington, and the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) in Seattle will be closed to the public beginning on July 1 and continue to be closed until further notice.

05/30/2025

Washington Productivity Board Approves Cash Awards to Three State Employees for Cost-Saving Ideas 

The Productivity Board, a state employee incentive program of the Office of the Secretary of State, voted unanimously to recognize three state employees with cash awards for their ideas to reduce costs or generate revenue for the state.  

05/29/2025

Washington State Archives Awards $506,000 in Grants to 27 Local Government Agencies

Since its inception in 2005, the Local Records Grant Program has provided more than $4.5 million to hundreds of government entities throughout the state. This year, towns, cities, counties, school districts, health departments, prosecutor’s offices, and library districts will share in $506,112.

05/20/2025

“New Land: Southeast Asian Refugees Finding Home in Washington” Marks SE Asian Refugee Arrival in Washington

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first arrival of Southeast Asian refugees in Washington, a new book from Legacy Washington, “New Land: Southeast Asian Refugees Finding Home in Washington,” recounts the early days of the humanitarian effort and the stories from those who continue to be a part of Washington’s legacy.

05/12/2025

Anticipated Layoffs to Hit Washington State Library After Budget Request Rejected 

The Office of the Secretary of State delivered 47 at-risk of layoff letters over the past two weeks to Washington State Library (WSL) employees. This is the first step toward anticipated layoffs in Washington state’s process and a direct result of diminished state and federal funding.