News

SALEM, Ore., and OLYMPIA, Wash. — A new partnership in Oregon and Washington is helping local cultural institutions make their digital archives more visible and accessible nationwide.

Northwest Digital Heritage (NWDH), a Washington State Library, State Library of Oregon, and Oregon Heritage Commission collaboration, is now a Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) “service hub.” This gives local galleries, libraries, museums, research institutions, historical societies, and others in both states the opportunity to upload their digitized collections onto DPLA’s extensive library of… Read more

OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Kim Wyman is seeking clarification from Thurston County Superior Court about the order in which two acts signed into law simultaneously by Gov. Jay Inslee should be filed.

The two acts in question are Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1336 and Second Substitute Senate Bill 5383, both of which were signed simultaneously by the governor on May 13 according to his office. Under RCW 44.22.020… Read more

OLYMPIA — During Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), May 2-8, Secretary of State Kim Wyman joined the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and others to recognize Washington employees who have gone above and beyond in public service.

This year, public employees were nominated for either the Extra Mile Award or the Excellence in Washington State Government Leadership Award. Out of the 400 nominees, 30 recipients were chosen and recognized during a virtual ceremony. They will also be listed on the Public Service Recognition Week webpage at … Read more

OLYMPIA — Candidate Filing Week is May 17-21, and the Office of the Secretary of State is joining county election offices across Washington to accept applications for public office.

People interested in running for a local or county office may file with the county elections office in which the position resides. For filing instructions, candidates should contact their respective county elections office.

There are more than 3,200 county… Read more

OLYMPIA — Nearly $650,000 in state funding is now available to local governments statewide through the Local Records Grant Program.

Administered by Washington State Archives, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, the Local Records Grant Program helps local-government agencies and entities upgrade the technological resources needed to improve their records retention, management, and public records request response processes.

The program was enacted by the state… Read more

The offices of Secretaries of State Kim Wyman (R-WA) and Jena Griswold (D-CO) have released the following statement as Congress pursues a new jobs and infrastructure bill to recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn.

“In 2016 when elections and voting systems were designated as part of our nation’s critical infrastructure, the federal government affirmed the importance of conducting secure and accurate elections for our democracy. Now, Congress has an opportunity to further bolster defenses for our electoral processes by ensuring election administrators are funded as part of its… Read more

OLYMPIA — In response to the White House Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) decision to withdraw its approval of the sale of National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) Seattle facility, Secretary of State Kim Wyman issued the following statement.

“OMB took a crucial step today in withdrawing approval for the sale of the National Archives in Seattle.

“I applaud the enduring commitment and hard work Washington’s Congressional delegation, tribal communities, historical and cultural groups, and many others have undertaken for over a year to keep our state’s… Read more

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

The Medals of Merit and Valor are two of three statutory civilian decorations* issued by the state and are considered the highest civilian honors awarded to the people of Washington. 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… Read more

OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Kim Wyman has appointed Sara Jones as the new Washington State Librarian.

As State Librarian, Jones will oversee the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. Among her responsibilities are developing and leading strategies that enhance public access to library materials, collections, and services; safeguarding the state library’s role as a historical asset and repository for government documents and publications; and working with the Institute of Museum and Library… Read more

OLYMPIA — State Rep. Skyler Rude (R-Walla Walla) has sponsored request legislation from Secretary of State Kim Wyman to allow for greater voter participation in presidential primaries.

Introduced in the state Legislature this week, House Bill 1265 gives voters an option on the presidential primary ballot to not declare a party affiliation. It allows unaffiliated votes (i.e., those cast by voters who do not indicate their party preference) to qualify for the presidential primary and… Read more