By Beth Pellicciotti, LWVWA Voter Services Portfolio Chair

Marty Gibbons, a LWVWA Board member, took a picture of this trash can recently at a rest stop off I-5.

The picture reminds me of other discouraging messages about voting. We hear, “Your one vote doesn’t count,” “You don’t know enough to vote,” and, “The system is rigged.” League members who have worked at Voter Services tables have heard all these negative comments and more.

So what do we do? We manifest our mission, Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy. We reach out to those voting for the first time, those who are afraid of making a mistake voting, those learning to vote in another language, and those who think they are forgotten.

We take the long view (after all, the League is over 100 years old) and teach young children about voting. We provide a way for youth to convey their opinions to elected officials.

Here are just a few examples of our recent work:

Those voting for the first time: Seventeen-year-olds who turned 18 by the general election were able to vote in the March 2024 Presidential Primary. Charli Sorenson (Kittitas) organized a panel discussion for youth and community members to focus on the presidential primary ballot for these first-time voters.

I have had many experiences with those voting for the first time. I have had high school students tell me, “I don’t come from a voting family,” In other words, “I have never seen a ballot; I don’t know the candidates or why voting is important.” Here is a picture of Elaine Harger (Spokane) encouraging high school students to vote. This high school is in a district with the lowest percentage of voting in the city.

Those who are afraid of making a mistake voting: Election laws have changed in the last few years for those who have been incarcerated with a felony. Once out of prison, these citizens have their voting rights restored, and they can re-register to vote. League members rely on a detailed flier, Voting Rights Restored, to explain this changed law. Collectively, League members are trained by staff from the WA Secretary of State’s Office on election laws so that we can speak with confidence to those afraid of making a mistake voting.

Those who first language is not English: Every month at Naturalization Ceremonies League members congratulate new citizens and register them to vote. These ceremonies are joyous occasions, the end of a long journey for most. Here is Susan Gray (Spokane) with a translated sign welcoming these new voters:

Reaching those who think they are forgotten: Julie Sarkissian (Seattle/King County) reaches out to women in transitional living, who because of domestic violence, have to leave their homes and ballot addresses abruptly. Cam Kerst (Bellingham/Whatcom) takes voter registration to senior living facilities. Laura Arce, a new member of the Washington Secretary of State’s Election Division, referred a volunteer to a League, who reported back that League was in the hospitals. Laura noted, “I will always send volunteers to the League.”

We take the long view: We teach young children about voting. Bonnie Bless-Boenish (Clallam) at three local events encouraged 900 children and their parents to “vote” how the League should contribute to local food banks. Should the League money support the food banks buying dog food or cat food? At a recent event in Spokane Valley, 300 children and their families “voted” for features for a new park, with this unofficial poll going to the City Council.

The Pullman/Whitman County League has also made significant efforts to educate future voters. The local League has hosted a Visual Arts Competition for students in grades 3-12 since 2021, beginning with the first theme, “What Does Democracy Look Like to You?” and most recently, “Why Does Voting Matter?” They saw 12 entries the first year and have now seen over 40 entries in 2024. Pictured below is the Visual Arts Competition Committee presenting the competition and theme to local students using LWV WA’s textbook, The State We’re In: Washington. Also pictured is the Visual Arts Committee at the Annual Artist Reception to celebrate all entries.

Look at the trashcan picture and then look at these pictures of League members encouraging all kinds of voters. As our late president of the LWVUS, Dr. Deborah Turner, said, “We have to keep on keeping on.”