By Dee Anne Finken, LWVWA Lobby Team member

With a quick smile, Lobby Team member Cindy Madigan will readily tell you that Washingtonians, in many ways, have it good when it comes to voting. 

"We are very fortunate," said Madigan, LWVWA Issue Chair for Elections and Money in Politics. "We have a very good system for voter access."

After all, Washington has mail-in voting; the Future Vote program—which allows 16 and 17-year-olds to be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18—and automatic voter registration (AVR), which, as of July 2024, automatically registers an eligible voter who obtains an Enhanced Driver's License or WA State ID. This improves on existing AVR through a back-end process with information flowing securely from the Department of Licensing to the Secretary of State elections database. The new process saves time at the front counter and ensures eligible voters are registered and the election database is updated with current addresses.

However, all of this doesn't mean that improvements and other efforts aren't needed. And that is what keeps Madigan and her Lobby Team colleagues busy. "It's all about ensuring secure and equitable access to the ballot," said Madigan.

For example, every year someone wants to end mail-in voting, Madigan said. "We need to guard against any setback or road blocks."

When is the busiest times for this work? When the legislature is in session.

As an issue chair, Madigan's to-do list grows busier during the months the WA Legislature is in session—105 days in odd numbered years and 60 days in even numbered years. "You have to be on your toes as there are a variety of tasks, from writing and delivering testimony to researching proposed legislation and learning about how the legislature works."

Most recently, Madigan advocated for legislation that enable Washington residents without drivers' licenses to register online to vote using the last four digits of their Social Security number. That's important for would-be voters who don't have a driver's license.

In addition to research and advocacy, Madigan said her role is to inform fellow League members and leaders, like-minded coalition members, and the public about voting issues. Mostly, that's done through the LWVWA's weekly Legislative Action Newsletter and action alerts.

"It's about understanding the League's positions and using them when applicable to advance the passage or blockage of laws."

Positions supporting election laws and protecting voting rights have been in place since the 1960s. The LWVWA adopted campaign finance positions in 1985 and the 2014-2016 LWVUS program on Key Structures of Democracy focused attention at every level on Money in Politics, including an updated study.

Madigan grew up in Wisconsin and moved to Washington in 1987. She joined the League in 2017 and is a retired fiscal director for the Northwest Regional Council, a local government health and social services agency. A background Madigan says actually fits well for tracking the influence of money in elections.

Other League accomplishment and efforts Madigan has pursued include chairing a local Voting Rights Issue group; collaborating to present local educational programs and candidate and issue forums; and co-chairing the development of a statewide toolkit on election methods.

When she's not volunteering for the League in some capacity, Madigan likes to walk, practice yoga, prepare nutritious foods, and read. Her favorite subjects? "All kinds of things."

For information about joining the Lobby Team, contact Cynthia Stewart, LWVWA Advocacy Chair.