News

OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Washington’s 12 electors met to cast their votes for president and vice president, joining electors across the country in this constitutionally mandated step of the presidential election process. The meeting took place at 12 p.m. in the Legislative Building in Olympia. All 12 electors voted for Kamala Harris for President, and Tim Walz for Vice President. "I'd like to thank the electors gathered here today for playing this significant role in the governance of our great nation," said Secretary of State Steve Hobbs (pictured below). "On behalf of… Read more

OLYMPIA — Washington state’s 12 electors will convene to cast their votes for president and vice president, fulfilling a constitutionally mandated role of the Electoral College in the presidential election process. When: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 12 p.m. Where: Senate Chamber, Legislative Building, Olympia, Wash. Event will be broadcast live on TVW.… Read more

OLYMPIA – The Productivity Board, a state employee incentive program of the Office of the Secretary of State, presented its Teamwork Incentive Program award to the “LCB Pathfinders,” composed of employees from the Liquor Control Board and the Office of Administrative Hearings. The group was in Olympia, WA today to receive the ceremonial check from Secretary Hobbs in his office at the Legislative Building. The team’s money-saving suggestion streamlines digitizing and accessing records between agencies. It also improves efficiency by… Read more

OLYMPIA – The Office of the Secretary of State certified statewide results of the 2024 General Election on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

According to vote totals certified by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, 3.96 million voters, or 78.94% of registered voters, returned ballots in the Nov. 5 election. Using Washington’s secure vote-by-mail system, 66.47% of voters returned ballots to official county drop boxes, and 32.78% of voters returned ballots by mail.

Washington reached a milestone on Nov. 4, surpassing 5 million registered voters. Notably, on Oct. 28, 10,059 voters registered… Read more

OLYMPIA – The Productivity Board, a state employee incentive program of the Office of the Secretary of State, voted unanimously to award seven state employees up to $11,971.70 total for their ideas to reduce cost or generate revenue for the state, Monday, Dec. 2.

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 Office of the Secretary of State directed a machine recount of the state Senate race in Legislative District 18, December 2.

As of county certification on Nov. 26, Adrian Cortes, a Democrat, leads Brad Benton, a Republican, by 172 votes, a difference of 0.2%.  

A machine recount is required for all races and statewide measures when the margin is less than 2,000 votes and less than 0.5% of the total votes cast for both candidates, per RCW 29A.64.021. The Clark County Canvassing Board is… Read more

OLYMPIA – County canvassing boards across Washington state certified county-level results for the 2024 General Election Tuesday, Nov. 26. This milestone follows the 21-day post-election period in which counties conduct mandatory audits and verify returns.

More than 3.9 million, or 78.9% of voters, participated in the 2024 General Election statewide, which included federal, state, and local races and measures.

Counties supported increased in-person voter services leading up to and on Election Day, Nov. 5. At voting centers statewide, county election workers… Read more

OLYMPIA – Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is warning Washington business and non-profit owners of fraudulent communications that purports to be official notice from the Office of the Secretary of State’s (OSOS) Corporations and Charities Division or other state office.   

The fraudulent communications towards business owners have focused on initial registration, business verification, annual filings, and claims of delinquency. In most instances, money has been solicited that far exceed… Read more

OLYMPIA — The Productivity Board will meet from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 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

OLYMPIA – The Office of the Secretary of State’s elections division conducted its first statewide random ballot audit, also called a risk-limiting audit (RLA), November 19, in advance of county and state certifications.  

The statewide audit, chosen at random, examined the lieutenant governor contest. Outcomes of the audit were consistent with results from the voting system record. 

Washington counties conduct post-election audits after every election. RLAs are another efficient and effective form of audit utilized nationally… Read more