By Sasha Bentley, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Portfolio Director, LWV Washington

Every election season, many voters face the same pressing questions: When do I vote? How do I return my ballot? Can I trust what I’m reading online?  

These questions aren’t new.   

But the rise of misinformation and inaccurate assumptions about our elections systems make finding reliable answers harder than ever for many people.  

Meanwhile, county election staff throughout Washington field not just routine inquiries but also complex ones about security and ballot integrity. Small but mighty those county staff members do their best, but they can’t chase down every rumor or soothe every doubt. 

That’s where Vote411.org, which goes live Oct. 10, comes in.  

Created as a national effort by the LWVUS Education Fund, and now operating independently in all 50 states, Vote411 is a free, nonpartisan “one-stop shop” for election information.  

Since its launch in 2006, it has grown into a trusted tool where voters can check their registration, find polling places, research ballot measures, and read candidate responses that go beyond the brief statements in the voters’ pamphlet. 

The site began offering content in Spanish in 2020, thanks to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, expanding access for more community members. 

For Klickitat County Auditor Heather Jobe, Vote411 fills a real need.  

“Anytime you can get out accurate information from a reliable source, that’s awesome,” she said.  

“There’s so much misinformation out there. With Vote411, everything links back to official sources. It’s all in one place, which makes it easier for people who don’t always know where to look, or even what they’re looking for.” 

Jobe added, “We don’t have the resources to fight every piece of bad information. Tools like Vote411 help us be proactive instead of reactionary. They give voters a trusted and consistent source of information.” 

That proactive approach is at the heart of the League of Women Voters’ mission. For more than 100 years, the League has worked to empower voters and defend democracy.  

League volunteers in locals across Washington take on the work of building and maintaining the Vote411 database each election cycle: gathering candidate information, drafting questionnaires, and ensuring details remain accurate and nonpartisan. 

Beatrice Crane, a longtime League member who oversees Vote411 in Washington, knows the workload well.“There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work each cycle,” she said 

“But I love when I have a meaningful interaction with a candidate. And I know the system works; it helps voters find what they need. Vote411 is basically free advertising for a candidate, and candidates I’ve heard from really appreciate the opportunity to connect with voters.” 

That connection is especially meaningful for voters who might otherwise be left out.  

Mary Solorio, civic engagement co-director at Washington Gorge Action Programs, sees Vote411 as essential for Spanish-speaking and first-time voters.  

“Many of the people I work with are navigating the process for the first time or doing it in a second language,” she explained. “Having clear, accessible information available in Spanish, and being able to point people to one trusted site makes a huge difference. It helps new voters feel confident and empowered to participate.” 

When promoting Vote411, election staff also emphasize the urgency of voting on time. Brandie Sullivan, who has worked in elections for 18 years, emphasizes what’s at stake.  

“Sometimes people wait until the last minute and miss deadlines because they didn’t have the right information in time,” she said.  

“Resources like Vote411 help people understand why things like signatures matter, or why voting early can make a difference.” 

All content on Vote411 is free and available to all.