News

Issued in collaboration with the Washington State Association of County Auditors.

OLYMPIA — In coordination with Washington’s 39 county election officials, the Office of the Secretary of State Wednesday issued an emergency rule change that requires county officials to use First Class mail when sending ballot packets to voters beginning at least 15 days before Election Day.

“Closer to Election Day, many counties throughout Washington already switch over to First Class mail to ensure voters receive materials with enough time to cast their ballots,” said Secretary of State… Read more

Petition filed with Thurston County Superior Court seeks clarity on “crossover signatures” to qualify minor party presidential candidates for the November General Election

OLYMPIA —Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State Monday filed a petition with Thurston County Superior Court seeking expedited clarification as to whether the secretary of state may accept or reject signatures of voters who signed nominating petitions for more than one minor party.

According to state law, “[n]o person may sign… Read more

OLYMPIA — Today the Office of the Secretary of State certified Washington’s Aug. 4 Primary Election, in which more than 2.51 million people — or 54.44% of all registered voters in Washington — cast their ballots. The turnout rate is the highest on record for a Primary since 1964 when over 840,000 people voted, representing a 56.06% turnout.

“It’s gratifying to see that voters are excited, engaged, and eager to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard,” said Assistant Secretary of State Mark Neary. “We look forward to serving the people of Washington state and… Read more

OLYMPIA — Former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton died Wednesday morning at the age of 92. Secretary of State Kim Wyman released the following statement:

“Washington state lost one of its fiercest leaders and greatest champions today.

“A giant in Washington politics, Slade defined servant leadership. From his time in the Army and Air Force to his years of service in the state Legislature, as our state’s attorney general, and in Congress, he built a legacy. His ability to foster community and reach consensus was rare and unparalleled in politics today. His fervor for our state and… Read more

OLYMPIA — The U.S. Postal Service’s capacity to meet the increased service demand during mail-in elections this fall has been cause for concern given President Trump’s recent remarks about the lack of additional funding for the agency. Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, the state’s chief elections officer, says despite concerns nationwide, Washington voters should rest assured that ballot delivery and return services should continue without… Read more

OLYMPIA —Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman issued the following response to a tweet by President Donald Trump this morning about delaying the 2020 General Election.

“The 2020 General Election will take place Nov. 3 as required by law. Only an act of Congress can change that, and comments from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have assured the American people that the election will take place as planned.

“The President’s and Attorney General’s continued consternation with vote-by-mail is precisely why I invite them to come to Washington state to see firsthand how my… Read more

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State’s Corporations & Charities Division received an International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA) Merit Award for its online Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS).

Each year IACA recognizes jurisdictions that have successfully implemented innovative changes in government. A panel of experts, composed of international leaders in both the public and private sectors, reviews award submissions from jurisdictions around the world based on originality, significance, effectiveness, and other criteria.

The… Read more

OLYMPIA — The Washington Office of the Secretary of State issued the following response to concerns of potential illegal activity to influence voters in the 42nd Legislative District. Concerns emerged after a candidate running in the district posted a photo on Facebook of a ballot wrapped between a campaign mail piece.

“The Office of the Secretary of State takes allegations of illegal electioneering or misconduct seriously, which is why we have requested the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Postal Service, and the Department of Homeland Security to… Read more

OLYMPIA — Registered voters throughout Washington will soon receive ballots for the upcoming Primary Election.

The Primary Election’s 18-day voting period kicks off Friday, July 17, and lasts through election day, Tuesday, Aug. 4. Ballots include a prepaid-postage envelope, so people who return their ballots via U.S. mail do not have to pay for a stamp. Voters who place their ballots in an official drop box must do so by 8 p.m. on election day. Drop box locations may be found at VoteWA.gov.

Voters are encouraged to mail their completed… Read more

OLYMPIA — The Washington Office of the Secretary of State issued the following response to gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp’s claim that his candidate statement was omitted from the online voters’ guide.

“On May 24, gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp’s campaign manager Christopher Gergen submitted via email a candidate statement to the Office of the Secretary of State’s Elections division. In the email we received, Mr. Gergen claimed he had submitted a candidate statement to our office on two prior… Read more