News

OLYMPIA — This afternoon, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs sent a letter formally asking what steps the United States Postal Service will take to prevent out-of-service mail collection boxes from being left in public spaces during Washington elections.

OLYMPIA — Envelopes received by elections offices in King, Pierce, Skagit, and Spokane counties were found Wednesday to contain unknown powdery substances. Each impacted county’s elections workers evacuated their offices, and elections leaders have taken precautions to keep employees and office visitors safe.

OLYMPIA — County elections statewide have distributed ballots for the state’s 4.8 million registered voters to participate in the 2023 General Election.

OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Steve Hobbs encourages participation in the White Cane Day Walk 2023 in Seattle on Saturday, Oct. 14, to celebrate people who are blind and visually impaired.

OLYMPIA — Young Washingtonians across the state are invited to participate in the 2023 Student Mock Election presented by the Office of the Secretary of State.

OLYMPIA — Due to a dramatic decline in operating funds derived from real-estate transactions, the Washington State Library will be closed to in-person visits on Mondays, effective October 2nd. The State Library will remain open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 6880 Capitol Boulevard East in Tumwater.

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State, which oversees the Washington State Library and the Washington State Archives, announces that 33 local libraries and government agencies will share $600,000 in grants under state programs to improve local resources.

OLYMPIA — The Office of Secretary of State, in partnership with the Washington Voting Rights Restoration Coalition, is helping celebrate the restoration of voting rights for Washingtonians with past felony convictions.

OLYMPIA — For National Voter Registration Day, the Office of the Secretary of State will host a voter registration station at Gonzaga University Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Students will be able to sign up as new voters or update their registrations at the registration table in the rotunda of the John J. Hemmingson Center, 702 East Desmet Avenue, Spokane.

OLYMPIA — In honor of U.S. Constitution Week, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs will host a public showing of the original 1889 Washington Constitution Thursday, September 14th, in the Legislative Building in Olympia.