Time is running out if you want to register to vote in Washington’s General Election.
Monday, Oct. 10 is the last day for citizens to register via online or via mail or to update their voter registration information. People can click www.myvote.wa.gov to register online. Washington is one of eight states that allow voter registration and registration updates via the Internet.
“If you haven’t registered to vote or if you need to update your registration, you need to do it soon,” said Secretary of State Sam Reed, Washington’s chief elections officer. “It’s easy, fast and convenient. If your voting information is outdated, you have until the 10th to correct it with your county elections office so you can vote in this important election.”
Reed said the November election includes many important local races, including several county executive and mayoral contests. The election also features three statewide initiatives (I-1125, transportation tolls and funding; I-1163, home health-care workers; and I-1183, privatizing liquor sales) and two state constitutional amendments (Senate Joint Resolution 8205, voting in presidential elections; and SJR 8206, dealing with the budget stabilization account), as well as two special legislative contests, in Clark and Spokane counties, to fill unexpired terms.
Ballots go out by Oct. 21 and must be postmarked or returned to an official drop box or elections office by Nov. 8.
As of latest count, there are 3,636,402 Washington residents registered to vote. Statistics compiled by a George Mason University professor for the United States Elections Project show that Washington’s voting-eligible population in 2010 was 4,728,332.
Oct. 31 is the in-person registration deadline for new Washington registrations. Voters need to fill out and turn in a voter registration form at their county elections office. Go here to visit a county Web site and get more information about voter registration or about candidates listed on the General Election ballot.
You may register and vote if you are:
• A citizen of the United States;
• A legal resident of Washington State; and
• At least 18 years old by Election Day.
You may not register or vote if you:
• Have been convicted of a felony and not had your voting rights restored; or
• Have been declared by a court to be mentally incompetent and ineligible to vote.
