News

05/30/2024

OLYMPIA — The Productivity Board, a state employee incentive program of the Office of the Secretary of State, voted unanimously Thursday to award two state employees up to $200 each 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 increase government efficiency. First created by the Legislature in 1982, the Productivity Board saved the state… Read more

05/30/2024

OLYMPIA — Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and 12 staff members of the Office of the Secretary of State were awarded Quilts of Valor at the state Capitol in Olympia Thursday for their military service.

Quilts of Valor volunteers award quilts to current and former members of the U.S. military to provide comfort and healing in recognition of their dedication and sacrifice. The organization has member groups nationwide.

Secretary Hobbs enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private in 1987 and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel… Read more

05/28/2024

OLYMPIA — The Productivity Board will meet from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, in the conference room of the Office of the Secretary of State in the Legislative Building at the Capitol Campus in Olympia.

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

05/15/2024

OLYMPIA — More than 50 libraries across the state will receive a Dungeon & Dragons library box set, and many will also receive up to $2,000 to bring tabletop role-playing games to patrons, through a grant program administered by the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players can immerse themselves in the world and characters of their creation,… Read more

05/14/2024

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State certified candidates for Washington’s August 6 Primary election Tuesday in the Legislative Building. More than 1,000 people filed as candidates for federal, state, judicial, legislative, county, and other offices online, by mail, and in person. Candidates were certified for distribution to county elections offices by Assistant Secretary of State Kevin McMahan.

Individual offices which drew the most candidate filings include the Washington state governor, with 28, and Charter Review Commission — District No. 2 in Whatcom County… Read more

05/13/2024

OLYMPIA — Two of the three people who filed to run for governor under the name Bob Ferguson withdrew from the race before Monday’s deadline. Bob Ferguson, who is currently serving as the state’s attorney general, will remain on the ballot in position 11 of a field of 28 candidates.

Under Washington’s top-two primary system, each voter will get to choose from among the complete field on the ballot. Irrespective of political party, the two candidates with the largest vote totals for each position will appear on the November 5 General Election ballot.

Read more

05/06/2024

OLYMPIA — The opportunity to become a candidate for office during Washington’s 2024 elections opened Monday. During candidate filing week, candidacies can be declared until 5 p.m. Friday, May 10, for any of the more than 400 federal, state, judicial, legislative, county, and other offices scheduled for 2024 elections.

Candidates are encouraged to file online, if possible, but may register… Read more

04/23/2024

OLYMPIA — Interested in running for public office in Washington? The opportunity to formally declare candidacy for the 2024 elections opens May 6 at 8 a.m. online and at elections offices across the state. Mailed declarations are being accepted now and must be received with payment no later than 5 p.m. on May 10, when filing week ends.

During the May 6-10 filing period, candidacies can be declared for more than 400 federal, state, judicial, legislative, county, and other offices scheduled for 2024 elections. All statewide Executive offices, all Congressional seats, a U.S.… Read more

04/19/2024

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State is now accepting nominations for Washington’s Medals of Merit and Valor. Nominations for both awards can be made until September 20.

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.

“The Medals of… Read more

03/29/2024

OLYMPIA — Washington Presidential Primary election results certified Friday by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs show the second-most votes counted of any Presidential Primary in Washington history.

More than 1.7 million Washingtonians participated in the Presidential Primary, a 35.3% turnout of the state’s 4.8 million registered voters. In 2020, nearly 2.3 million voters — a record 49.6% turnout — participated in that year’s Presidential Primary. Washington’s previous highest number of Presidential Primary voters was 1.3 million in 2000.

“We had a sizable… Read more

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Photo of Secretary of State Steve Hobbs (color)

 

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