November 2 General Election

The League of Women Voters of Washington offers voters tools to use in casting their ballot, Voters can visit LWVWA.org to access VOTE411.org, a personalized candidate guide, and Your Vote, a publication that features articles on how voting works in Washington state.

The 2021 general election gives voters the chance to choose the local elected officials who will represent them and make decisions about local issues on their behalf.

Ballots were mailed mid-October and voters can check for ballot drop box locations on VoteWA.gov as well as track their ballot after submitting; voters can also request replacement ballots, if needed. Ballot drop boxes are open until 8 p.m. on November 2.

Eligible Washington state citizens can register and vote at county voting centers until 8 p.m. on voting day.  

• Those who are unsure of their registration stats should visit VoteWA.gov. Unregistered voters can contact their county elections office to confirm identification requirements and voting center hours, then head to a voting center to register and vote by 8 p.m. on November 2.
• Accessible voting services and replacement ballots are also available at voting centers.

The League of Women Voters urges all eligible citizens to act now and make sure their vote counts. Call the League of Women Voters of Washington at 206-622-8961 for answers to voting questions or visit LWVWA.org. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Vote.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization. We encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League acts in support of, or in opposition to, selected governmental issues that its members have studied. It does not support or oppose candidates, factions, or political parties.

For Immediate Release—On November 2, 2021, Washington state voters will elect representatives to local governments and make decisions about local ballot issues. Three advisory ballots will also appear on voters’ 2021 general election ballot.

LWVWA President Lunell Haught reminds voters, “The 18-day voting period begins on October 15. Now is the time to make sure your signature and address are up to date, and you have the information you need to cast your ballot.”

Voters can check their registration status at VoteWA.gov. Register if needed, update if needed. Then, visit the LWVWA website to find information about candidates and how the voting process works. Voters will find a checklist in English and Spanish to help make their voting plan, as well as Your Vote, published in partnership with The Spokesman-Review. This publication answers voters’ questions about how elections work. Selected stories are available in Spanish.

Voters can visit VOTE411 to find out where candidates stand on important issues. This personalized voter guide asks candidates to answer questions from the community in their own words. Voters can also visit local League of Women Voters’ websites to learn about upcoming candidate forums or to view forums that have already occurred.

The elections in 2021 are about deciding who will represent community interests in races most close to home. From school boards to city councils to ports and much more, voters will choose representatives who will make decisions that affect their daily lives. Haught emphasizes, “Local elections are where we have the greatest impact. Make sure you’re a part of the decision-making. Your vote is your voice. Vote.”

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization. We encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League acts in support of, or in opposition to, selected governmental issues that its members have studied. It does not support or oppose candidates, factions, or political parties.

Tuesday, September 28 is National Voter Registration Day. The League of Women Voters of Washington and local Leagues across Washington state urge all eligible persons to check their registration status at VoteWA.gov. Voters can register or update their registration if needed so they are ready for the November 2 general election.

The November 2021 general election is about local positions and ballot measures. From mayor to city council to school board to special district commissioners—these and many more local positions are up for election this year. In many communities, local ballot measures are being voted on as well.

LWV of Washington President Lunell Haught urges all citizens age 18 and older to visit VoteWA.gov on Tuesday, Sept 28 as part of National Voter Registration Day. “The League encourages everyone to check their registration status on September 28. Our democracy depends on all eligible voters participating in this important decision-making process. Now is the time to make sure you’re ready.” The 18-day voting period begins Friday, October 15. Registered voters should expect to receive their ballots in the mail around that time.

The LWV of Washing offers information for those who would like to know more about election processes in Washington state. Voters can visit LWVWA.org to view the Your Vote tabloid, produced in partnership with The Spokesman-Review. Stories include technology that makes a difference for voters with disabilities, restoration of voting rights for people with felonies, college hubs that help students vote, and much more. Your Vote is a fun and easy guide to understanding how elections work in Washington state. LWVWA President Lunell Haught is available to talk with media about this important election information.

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The League of Women Voters of Washington is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Seattle—The League of Women Voters of Washington (LWVWA) supports legislation that strengthens our elections and increases voter participation so that every voice is heard in our democracy. On Saturday, July 10, 2021, the LWVWA will co-host a statewide Deadline for Democracy Virtual Rally.

This rally is one of many being held across the state during this congressional recess that will show our senators that voting rights has broad grassroots support across our state.

On Thursday, July 1, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt two blows to our democracy with decisions in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee, which will make it easier for states to pass discriminatory laws, and Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta, which weakens campaign finance transparency requirements.

The League stands strong in its support for free and fair elections and urges Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray to do everything in their power to pass both the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. These bills will protect our freedom to vote by requiring that voters in all 50 states have access to the ballot through expanded polling hours and mail-in voting, making sure our voices are heard by preventing billionaires from buying our elections, and ensuring we can elect leaders who govern in our interests by having congressional districts drawn by independent commissions.

“The urgency of the situation is made clear by the recent Supreme Court decisions allowing voter suppression tactics with clear impacts on communities of color and further obscuring the role of dark money in our elections. We urge all Washington residents to make their voices heard in this fight to defend and strengthen our democracy,” said Lunell Haught, president of the LWVWA.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Contact: Amy Peloff, LWVWA Administrative Director
(206) 622-8961
apeloff@lwvwa.org

Eligible Washington State citizens can register and vote in person at county voting centers on or before November 3. Those wishing to do so should contact their county elections office to confirm identification requirements and voting center hours. Accessible voting services are also available at voting centers. Voters can check the Secretary of State’s website for specific drop box and voting center locations.

Registered voters who wish to vote in person or find a drop box can get a personalized list of locations at VoteWA.gov. Voters can also track their ballot on this site. The League of Women Voters of Washington is also available at 206-622-8961 to assist voters in finding their voting locations.

Election Protection Hotlines are available to assist with questions regarding ID requirements, incorrect information related to voting center location or eligibility, or what to do after casting a provisional ballot. Voters can call the following hotlines for answers to these and other questions:    

• 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) 
• 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español) 
• 1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance) 
• 1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic) 

The League of Women Voters urges all eligible citizens to take steps now to ensure their vote counts. To help with important voting decisions on candidates and ballot measures, visit VOTE411.org. For other important election information, check your county elections office and visit LWVWA.org.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Voting in Washington State for the November 3 general election is under way! Now is the time for voters to visit VoteWA.gov, where they can check their voter registration, register to vote if necessary, and track their ballot. Next step: Vote!

The League of Women Voters has freely available tools for voters to use in making their voting decisions. On LWVWA.org, voters can access the following tools:

Downloadable debates between candidates running for statewide offices: commissioner of public lands; lieutenant governor; secretary of state, superintendent of public instruction, and treasurer. Voters can view the debates online at their convenience, hear what the candidates have to say for themselves, and decide which candidate they want for the job.

A downloadable video presenting the pros and cons of Referendum 90 regarding sexual health education in schools is also available.

Simplified ballot measure summaries in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Voters can get a quick look at what the ballot issues are all about. These brief summaries offer pro and con information on Referendum 90 and SJR 8212 and background on the advisory measures. Don’t be confused. Take a look!

Videos on how to vote and other important election information. First-time voters can find the mechanics of voting overwhelming and wonder about some of the details.

A link to VOTE411.org, the League’s voter guide and much more. This site, available to all voters in the United States, offers personalized voting information—voters simply enter their address to see what’s on their specific ballot. The site also features candidate answers to local League questions, simplified ballot measure summaries, and voting rules for each state in both English and Spanish. If a candidate hasn’t answered any questions, voters are encouraged to contact the candidate’s campaign for those answers.

Links to other important voting information, including League of Women Voters forums in communities across the state, primary forums for statewide races, and fun handouts for kids.

League President Lunell Haught reminds voters to make a voting plan and vote early.

“Having a plan is the best way to make sure your voice is heard this election. Will you drop your ballot at a drop box, or are you planning to mail it? If mailing your ballot, make sure to leave enough time for it to be picked up and postmarked. In some rural areas of the state, this can be an issue. Better yet, vote early!”

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

[SEATTLE/SPOKANE]— The League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund and The Spokesman-Review are pleased to announce Zoom debates for lieutenant governor and the superintendent of public instruction will take place on Monday, October 12. The superintendent of public instruction debate will livestream at 6 p.m. on the LWVWA Facebook page and on TVW. The lieutenant governor debate will livestream at 7 p.m. at these sites as well as at The Spokesman-Review: Northwest Passages-Live Events.

These two debates are the last of eight debates the League of Women Voters and The Spokesman-Review organized for the primary and general elections. Voters will find recordings of all 2020 League and Spokesman debates at LWVWA-Forums, The Spokesman-Review: Northwest Passages-Videos and TVW Archives. TVW is broadcasting these debates as well; air times are listed on the LWVWA-Forums site.

The full lineup of debates, hosted by the different local Leagues in their communities, includes:  

General Election Debates

• ·       Secretary of State (Thurston County, 9/12)
• ·       State treasurer (Benton-Franklin Counties 9/17)
• ·       Commissioner of public lands (Spokane Area, 10/1)
• ·       Superintendent of public instruction (Spokane Area, 10/6)
• ·       Superintendent of public instruction (Tacoma-Pierce County, 10/12)
• ·       Lieutenant governor (Spokane Area, 10/12)
• Primary Forums
• ·       Lieutenant governor (Tacoma-Piercy County, 7/9)
• ·       Secretary of state (Spokane, 7/16)

The League encourages voters to take the time to learn about the candidates by watching them in action. League President Lunell Haught notes:

“Hearing what candidates have to say about how they plan to do the job offers a unique opportunity to see their leadership style. Officeholders in these statewide positions will lead our state for the next four years and make decisions that affect our daily lives. Who do you want to have that power? Take a look at the candidates and make your voting decision.”

Voters can find other helpful election information at both the League of Women Voters of Washington and at The Spokesman-Review: Elections sites. This information is freely available to the public.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

[SEATTLE/SPOKANE]—The League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund and The Spokesman-Review are pleased to announce the third debate for a statewide position: commissioner of public lands. This is the third in a series of six debates the League and The Spokesman-Review are sponsoring during the general election. Voters can hear directly from the commissioner for public lands candidates on Thursday, October 1, at 7 p.m. The Spokesman-Review will livestream the debate at The Spokesman Review: Northwest Passages-Live Events.

The League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund will livestream the debate on Facebook. Voters and media across the state are invited to watch the debate and learn the candidates’ views on issues critical to how Washington State’s public lands are managed.

This debate will be available for later viewing at voters’ convenience at both the LWVWA Debates  and The Spokesman Review at The Spokesman Review: Northwest Passages-Videos. Also available for later viewing at these sites are debates for the state treasurer position and the secretary of state position.

The League of Women Voters wants voters to have the information they need to cast an informed ballot.  Voters can find a League candidate guide online at VOTE411.orgor at LWVWA.org. Here they can also learn about additional debates, when to watch, and access debate video recordings as they become available. Additional debates include:

·       Lieutenant governor

·       Office of superintendent of public instruction

The League also reminds voters that now is the time to check their voter registration at VoteWA.gov. U.S. citizens can register to vote at this site as well. 

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Lunell Haught, LWVWA President
206.622.8961
president@lwvwa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund and The Spokesman-Review are pleased to announce that voters across Washington State will be able to view important statewide forums in the next few weeks: 

• Candidates for the positions of Treasurer will face voters on Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. NWPB will air this debate live on KTNW-TV. The LWV Education Fund will stream the debate live on Facebook. The LWV of Benton-Franklin Counties is hosting this debate. Questions from the community are featured.  

• Candidates for the position of Secretary of State will record a debate that will be available for viewing on or about September 19. The LWV of Thurston County is hosting this debate. It will feature questions form the Thurston County area.  

All voters are encouraged to submit questions to forumquestions@lwvwa.org for these debates and are asked to include which position the question is for and what community they are from. 

These debates will be available for later viewing at voters’ convenience. Visit LWVWA.org or  The Spokesman-Review elections page. TVW will air the debates as part of its scheduled programming and will place them on its website for later streaming at voters’ convenience.   

These positions are important to Washington State residents. Candidates elected to these offices will affect laws and policies that bear on our daily lives. The Spokesman-Review and the LWVWA are proud to assist voters in learning about the candidates who seek to represent them.   

These debates are the first of several that The Spokesman-Review and the LWVWA Education Fund are planning. We want voters to have the information they need to cast an informed ballot. Please visit the LWVWA website to see the list of planned debates, how to watch them, and links to debate recordings. 

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

July 27, 2020
www.lwvwa.org

Lunell Haught, LWVWA President
206.622.8961
president@lwvwa.org

Jonathan Brunt, Assistant Managing Editor/Government
The Spokesman-Review
(509) 459-5442
jonathanb@spokesman.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

League of Women Voters Candidate Forums Available 

The League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund and The Spokesman-Review are pleased to announce that voters can access critical information about candidates for lieutenant governor and secretary of state in advance of the August 4 primary. 

These forums are available on the League website and through the following links:* 

• Candidate forum for lieutenant governor, televised by TVW. 
• Candidate forum for secretary of state, televised by KSPS Public Television. 

LWVWA President Lunell Haught reminds voters to make time to learn about the candidates and vote by August 4: 

Candidate forums provide a unique look at the people who are seeking to represent you. Once in office, the lieutenant governor and the secretary of state will affect public policy in ways that play out in daily life. Who do you want to have this power? Vote for that candidate. 

The top two contenders for these positions will advance to the November general election. Voters, who are now receiving their ballots and official voter guides for the primary, can also check the following sites to make sure they are ready to vote: 

• VoteWA: The Washington State site for checking your voter status. 
• VOTE411: The League of Women Voters candidate guide, where you can get answers put to candidates from members of their local communities.  

Voters can also find a list of planned debates at lwvwa.org/Forums as well as submit questions for candidates. 

Democracy depends on citizen participation, especially at the ballot box. Please vote. 

* Use of the recordings. The League of Women Voters adheres strictly to FCC requirements regarding use of recordings made during a candidate forum or debate.  Any use of the recordings requires the approval of the LWVWA and TVW or KSPS, with the caveat that it must only be broadcast in its entirety. No candidate is allowed to use or edit the footage for campaign purposes.  

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.