Vote
Save the Nation and Earn a Free Sticker Whereas You’re at It
The time has come to vote! Because of constant Democratic majorities in Olympia and intensely competent management on the King County Elections (KCE) division, the method simply retains getting simpler and simpler.
And this 12 months, the ballots are coming with customized “I Voted” stickers, which is kinda enjoyable. 😃 Okay, let’s ensure you’re able to do your civic responsibility!
Registering to Vote
Earlier than the county will ship you a poll, it’s good to register to vote. To register, you should be a citizen over the age of 18 who just isn’t at present completely confined in a jail.
Not fairly 18? Properly, for those who’re 16 or 17, then you possibly can join as a future voter, and the state will robotically register you to vote in your 18th birthday. Additionally, if you’ll flip 18 between August 6 and November 5 of this 12 months, then you possibly can vote within the August major.
We’ve got some computerized voter registration in Washington State. In case you have an enhanced driver’s license or ID, you then’re already in. If you happen to simply bought out of jail, then your proper to vote has been robotically restored, so ensure you’re registered.
You’ll be able to register to vote by mail or on-line at votewa.gov till July 29. Be sure to have a replica of your Washington State driver’s license or a present Washington State ID useful. In case you have neither, then that’s NO EXCUSE. You’ll be able to nonetheless register by mail or in particular person at any of the county’s many voting facilities. And for those who miss the net or snail mail voter registration deadline for the August major, then you possibly can nonetheless register in particular person at a voting middle till 8 pm on Election Day. If you happen to’re uncertain about your registration standing, then affirm it at votewa.gov.
Your Poll
The county mails ballots to all registered voters. For this election, your poll ought to arrive in your mailbox by July 22. If it’s not there by the top of that day, then ask KCE what’s up. (By telephone at 206-296-VOTE (8683) or by e-mail at elections@kingcounty.gov.)
Upon getting your poll, rip it open, set the brand new “I Voted” sticker apart in the meanwhile, after which seize a pen—you need to use any shade you’d like, even sparkly pink (particularly sparkly pink). Then discover The Stranger’s endorsements on this very web site and thoroughly fill within the bubbles we let you know to fill in. (If you happen to’re working out of time, simply leap straight to the Cheat Sheet.) After that, slide your poll into its cute little Scorching Pocket sleeve, stuff the entire package deal in its envelope, after which mail it in—no want for a stamp! If you happen to fancy a bit stroll, then drop your poll into a close-by dropbox no later than Tuesday, August 6, at 8 pm.
This 12 months, KCE added a number of new poll bins, bringing their grand complete as much as 83!!! They added a second field on the Ballard Library location, one other at twelfth Avenue and Cherry Road, one other at Morgan Junction Park in West Seattle, and one other on the South Sammamish Park & Journey. Additionally, FYI, they moved the field at Seattle Central School about 10 toes, and so they moved the field on the Muckleshoot Reservation from the executive constructing to the brand new group middle.
When you’ve despatched your poll on its manner, then slap that sticker in your chest and stroll round proudly promoting your civic satisfaction. Or do a social media publish, you little democracy influencer.
Now you’ve voted! Good job. However your responsibility isn’t fairly performed but.
Observe It
As soon as your poll leaves your hand, you’ll need to observe that factor to verify your vote has been counted. Simple sufficient! Simply head to the county web site and join poll monitoring and textual content alerts.
If you happen to join, KCE will ship you a reminder textual content on the Thursday earlier than Election Day in the event that they haven’t acquired your poll.
If KCE “challenges” (i.e., contests) your poll resulting from some challenge together with your signature or one thing else, then you possibly can resolve the difficulty on-line. New state guidelines now enable KCE to simply accept Washington State ID numbers, Washington State driver’s licenses, or the final 4 digits of your social safety quantity to show that you’re who you say you might be, so it’s simpler than ever to repair your poll.
In keeping with a spokesperson at KCE, textual content subscribers end up at a lot increased charges than non-text subscribers, and so they additionally repair their challenged ballots at increased charges—so be a part of the membership!!
Comfortable voting.