News

OLYMPIA – Secretary of State Steve Hobbs encourages participation in the White Cane Day Walk 2024 in Seattle on Sunday, October 13, to celebrate people who are blind and visually impaired.

The White Cane Day Walk will begin at 12 p.m. at the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL), 2021 9th Avenue, and will follow a route to Westlake Park, 4th Ave. and Pine, and will return WTBBL.

The White Cane Day walk is presented by several blindness organizations and service providers including the National Federation of the Blind of Washington,… Read more

OLYMPIA — In an effort to empower Washington residents and ensure informed participation in the upcoming general election, the Office of the Secretary of State is participating in National Voter Education Week (NVEW) from Oct. 7-11. The weeklong initiative focuses on equipping voters with the knowledge and resources needed to confidently vote this November. Voters in WA State can visit  VoteWA.gov to check the status of their registration, track their ballot, and view their voter’s guide.

National Voter Education Week is a… Read more

OLYMPIA — Young Washingtonians across the state are invited to 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. All K-12 students in Washington state are welcome to participate by casting votes on races and measures.

“I’m inviting educators throughout the state to use the Student Mock Election and help encourage lifelong participation in our democracy,” Secretary Hobbs said. “This opportunity is great preparation for… Read more

OLYMPIA – Secretary of State Steve Hobbs opened a secure portal for all Washington residents, public employees, and state retirees to donate to Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

The Disaster Relief Center, a special function of the Secretary of State’s Combined Fund Drive, provides links for one-time donations to verified and registered crisis-relief charities during periods of natural or humanitarian disasters that exceed a region’s capacity to provide help.

Hurricane Helene left catastrophic… Read more

OLYMPIA — Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs issued the following statement on the passing of Dan Evans, former Governor and U.S. Senator from Washington State. 

Governor Dan Evans was a man of principle. Throughout his career in Washington state and Washington D.C., he served his constituents driven by a dedication to public service. Gov. Evans’ legacy engenders respect across generations and party affiliations. Gov. Evans’ service represents a place and era when values were more important than partisanship, and a leader’s scruples came before ambition. 

A… Read more

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State invites Washingtonians to join the nationwide celebration of National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) on September 17.

NVRD is dedicated to getting every eligible American registered to vote ahead of the various state deadlines. As the nation’s largest nonpartisan civic holiday, organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to local food banks and public libraries will join forces for a one-day, nationwide democracy blitz to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities through in-person events, virtual events,… Read more

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State is accepting nominations for Washington’s Medals of Merit and Valor through the September 20 deadline.

The Medal of Merit recognizes people 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.

“There is still time to nominate the hero in… Read more

OLYMPIA — The Productivity Board, a state employee incentive program of the Office of the Secretary of State, voted unanimously Thursday to award four state employees up to $11,300 total for their ideas to save the state money.  

The Productivity Board encourages all state employees to help save taxpayers' money by offering up to $10,000 for a successful employee proposal to… Read more

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Library will return to normal public operating hours Monday after remaining partially closed for the past eleven months. In October 2023, the Library announced the reduction of hours due to a historic decline in operating funds derived from real-estate transactions.

The State Library will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 6880 Capitol Boulevard East in Tumwater.

The… Read more

OLYMPIA — The Productivity Board will meet from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Room 207 of the Washington State Library at 6880 Capitol Blvd SE, Tumwater, WA  98501.

The Productivity Board encourages all state employees to help save taxpayers' money by offering up to $10,000 for a successful employee proposal to increase government efficiency. First created by the Legislature in 1982, the Productivity Board saved the state millions of dollars before it was shut down in 2011 due to budget constraints.

In accordance with the … Read more