From Our Corner

Economist mag touts Washington's sensible voters

Image Fresh from watching yet another meltdown in California ("the ungovernable state"), the folks at influential Economist magazine are singing the praises of "sensible" Washington state. A piece in the latest edition touts "remarkably moderate politics" and can-do state government, and suggests that our tradition of ticket-splitting, independence and… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington

Image

- Pflug Mansion, Wauconda

Submit us your photo from your corner of Washington, and add our Facebook application.

Talking Archives in E-Burg

Image If you're looking for old government records or genealogical info for communities ranging from Omak to Yakima to the Tri-Cities, or even old relics from the Ellensburg Rodeo, the State Archives' Central branch office on the Central Washington University campus in E-Burg is the place to be. The Archives' Central branch contains about 3 million documents. This week, the branch's… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington

Image

- Bainbridge Island

Submit us your photo from your corner of Washington, and add our Facebook application.

WSL Updates, June 4, 2009

Volume 5, June 4, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) GOOD-BYE TO SUSAN BARRETT 2) VANCOUVER REGISTER ADDED TO ONLINE PIONEER NEWSPAPERS 3) FIND HEALTH AND FOOD RESOURCES DURING HARD TIMES 4) DOWNLOADABLE AUDIOBOOKS RFP RELEASED 5) FREE PUBMED AND TOXNET CLASSES 6) FREE AUTISM AWARENESS CLASS 7) NEH PRESERVATION EDUCATION AND TRAINING GRANTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) GOOD-… Read more

So you want to make a difference in Washington?

Image Hey you! Yes you! Time is ticking to get your paperwork and filing fee in if you want to run for public office in Washington this year. Friday – June 5 – marks the end of Candidate Filing Week, which began Monday. Folks who want a shot on the ballot have to… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington

Image

- Mt. Rainier

Submit us your photo from your corner of Washington, and add our… Read more

Clippings, June 3, 2009

Clippings, June 3, 2009 When all was said and done, the vision of Ferndale’s future came down to green and red dots. Those dots made a swimming pool, downtown revitalization and a new Ferndale library (Whatcom County Library System) unofficial winner’s during the fourth annual community Coordinating Association meeting Thursday, May 7. (Bellingham Herald, 5.8.09) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/901958.html This… Read more

Reports: Rosier days coming

Image We've been tracking the economic and revenue forecasts for you during this blankety-blank recession, cringing as it created a monster budget gap for governments everywhere and cost a lot of fine folks their jobs. Now the news is getting better… Read more

'Legacy' honors for Supreme Court heroes

Image

The full State Supreme Court, including Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, crossed the street from the Temple of Justice to the Capitol today to take part in Legacy Project honors for two of their esteemed former colleagues.

The occasion in Secretary of State Sam Reed's ornate office was the rollout of new oral histories and biographies of… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington: Kayaking at night

Image

Lake Killarney in unincorporated King County, just east of Federal Way. - Photo submitted by Brian. When the weather warms up, most of like to flock to the water. Or, in this guy's case early last evening, on the water.

Who signs R-71? Foes may post it online

Image Some foes of a referendum aimed at halting a new "everything but marriage" law in Washington state plan to eventually publish online the names and addresses of everyone who signs the Referendum 71 petitions. The state Elections Division is encouraging "civil debate" on the measure and expressing concern if the signature-gathering process is suppressed or voters feel threatened in any way. Washington Values Alliance, which opposes gay marriage… Read more

Candidate Filing Week: And they're off!

Image Washington's 2009 candidates are making it official. It's Filing Week and so far, a lot of candidates have taken advantage of the option to file online. As of close of business Monday, nearly 700 candidates filed through the Washington Election Information (WEI) system used by the Secretary of State's Elections Division and 31 of Washington's 39 counties. There was a rush of activity in the morning, then a lull during lunch, followed by a steady… Read more

Release Address Information

Working in a prison library one of the demands on our time is the requests for information about release addresses. As each inmate must have a confirmed and acceptable address to release to and their time gets near it is a major concern. However, it is only recently that we have been providing a much more extensive aspect of this service. We know have forms that can be filled out and then we do a computer search on a database using the criteria that is listed by the inmate. This is a… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington

Image

- Olympics from West Seattle, at sunset. Submit us your photo from your corner of Washington, and add our Facebook application.

Downloadable Audiobooks RFP Released

The Washington State Library is pleased to announce the release on June 1, 2009 of an RFP (Request for Proposals) for downloadable audiobook eContent services. The goal of this RFP is to secure one or more contracts for services to expand the reach of downloadable audiobooks content to libraries throughout Washington State,… Read more

A rewarding history project

Image Laura Harkins, an eighth-grader at Coupeville Middle School, was recognized today as the winner of the Secretary of State’s Archives Division Award under the Junior Individual Documentary category. She received the honor for her documentary on Edward S. Curtis for the… Read more

Didyaknow: Your marble questions revealed

Congrats Steven, for getting all the marble answers right! (He even got the bonus question right – all the marble DID cost $840,000 back in the day). Image … Read more

Clippings, May 29, 2009

Clippings, May 29, 2009 The Seattle Public Library has expanded its Web site to offer more information for its Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, and Spanish-speaking readers. The site will also contain information, written in different languages, about programs and materials that the library offers. (Northwest Asian Weekly [Seattle], 5.2.09) The Maple Valley Library (King County Library System) invites you to join the Library Guild. The Guild’s mission is to support programs for children, teens… Read more

From Your Corner of Washington: Rhodies and the Dome

Image

-Capitol Campus. Photo by Heath Hyatt. One of the highlights of… Read more

Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs

Image
Image of Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Connect with Us

Search Our Corner

About this Blog

The Washington Office of the Secretary of State’s blog provides from-the-source information about important state news and public services.

This space acts as a bridge between the public and Secretary Steve Hobbs and his staff, and we invite you to contribute often to the conversation here.

Comments Disclaimer

The comments and opinions expressed by users of this blog are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Secretary of State’s Office or its employees. The agency screens all comments in accordance with the Secretary of State’s blog use policy, and only those that comply with that policy will be approved and posted. Outside comments will not be edited by the agency.