Exec

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.

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. 

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.  

Candidate Filing Week begins on Monday, May 5 at 8 a.m. online and at county elections offices across the state, but mailed declarations are being accepted now. Declarations of Candidacy and full payment must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 9.  

“We mourn the sudden passing of Washington Senator Bill Ramos. He was a fierce champion of election security and access, and we worked closely with Bill in his years in the State House of Representatives and in his most recent election to the State Senate."

Washington state employees increased their donation levels of non-perishable food, books, and money during the Washington State Combined Fund Drive’s 2025 Well Fed, Well Read campaign.  

OSOS received an award in the Accessibility category for its collaboration with advocates who work on disability access and TVW.org to produce an American Sign Language (ASL) Video Voters’ Guide. The office earned a second Clearie in the Communications category for its “Mark the Ballot” public education campaign.

The 2024 “Mark the Ballot” campaign from the Washington Office of the Secretary of State measurably increased public trust in the state’s election system and raised awareness of the ways state and local election officials work to keep vote-by-mail ballots secure.

"The SAVE Act creates unnecessary barriers to voter registration in Washington state, where we already verify eligibility and maintain secure, accurate voter rolls."

The Washington State Library is at risk of losing personnel, statewide programs, resources for local libraries, and community opportunities as a result of a presidential Executive Order that resulted in termination of a $3.9 million grant from Institute of Museum and Library Services.