Important Voter Information
Important
Dates
Add these dates to your calendar so you get your ballot in on time.
General Elections
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
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Registration sent via Mail by
Mon Oct 28, 2024Email, Online or Fax by
Mon Oct 28, 2024 11:59PMIn-Person, Received by
Tue Nov 5, 2024 8:00PM
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Ballots can be mailed in or dropped off
Friday, October 18, 2024
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Deposit your ballot in an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
What is a General Election?
A general election is an election in which candidates are elected to offices. This is in contrast to a primary election, which is used either to narrow the field of candidates for a given elective office or to determine the nominees for political parties in advance of a general election. Generally, candidates for a general election are chosen via a primary election.
General elections occur at local, state, and federal levels, and typically occur every November.
How to Vote
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How to Vote 〰️
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Be a U.S Citizen of at least 18 years old
Be a resident of Washington state for at least 30 days prior to election day
Not currently incarcerated for a federal conviction
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If you are 16 or 17 years old you can pre-register as a future voter and once the age requirements are met, you will be automatically registered to vote
Online, mail in a registration form, request a voter registration form, or In-Person at your county elections office
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Receive the Voter's Brochure - Sent by mail to all households in the state of Washington for the General Elections, use this tool to make informed decisions about candidates and measures. It should arrive before your ballot. See your personalized Voter's Guide.
After making your decision, make sure to sign your ballot with the same signature used when registered
Elected Officials Impact
Local
Mayor - Elected Executive, responsible for daily city operations, power to appoint key department heads like the chief of police. Can introduce new laws. In charge of deciding on land use, housing plans, job programs, transportation policies, investments into parks, cooperates with Federal Government on immigration policy and drug issues.
The City Council - Final vote in creating new laws and approving city budget. Can approve or reject department heads. After a mayor, they get the final say on what gets passed or not.
County Commissioner - Deals with issues affecting the entire county. Set rules of countrywide programs: transportation initiatives that connect other cities.
District Attorney - Chief law enforcer in the community. Authority to investigate and bring an issue to trial, prosecute criminal offenses, and make sentencing recommendations. Have the power to address police brutality and misconduct cases. They can work to address inequities in sentencing, reforming the criminal justice system, and advocate for changes to cash bail standards.
School Board - Link between community and classrooms. Determine what and how students are learning through policy making, curriculum, and budgets for the school district. These people determine what funding goes towards certain programs like sports, arts, music, when school begins and ends, and so much more. They decide who gets hired as principal and set teacher guidelines. School Board members affects the education of all students in K-12 schools.
State
Governor - Chief executive of the state government. Implement state laws, manage the state budget, and oversee state agencies and departments. Public face of the state and is the representative in dealing with other state representatives and the federal government.
Lieutenant Governor - Second-highest executive officer of state. Responsibilities vary by state, but often presides over the state Senate, successor to the Governor if they are unable to fulfill their duties and carry out specific duties assigned by Governor or the state legislature.
General Assembly - Responsible for making and passing laws. Elected by citizens of the state to represent their concerns and interests. Consists of two chambers: Senate and House of Representatives
Attorney General - Chief legal officer of state. Provide legal advice to the state government, represent the state in legal matters, and enforce state laws. Oversees investigations/prosecutions on crimes and violations of state law.
Auditor General - Audits the financial records and practices of state government. Ensures compliance with accounting standards, identifies areas of financial inefficiency or mismanagement, and provides recommendations for improvement. Promotes transparency and accountability in government spending/operations.
State Treasurer - Oversees state finances and assets. Manages state funds, including tax revenue and investments. Manages state debt, can be in charge of managing unclaimed property to get them to rightful owners, and serves on many boards related to finances and investments.
Federal
President and Vice President - Chief executive and second-in-command of the U.S. Responsible for enforcing laws, conducting foreign affairs, and overseeing the federal government’s administration.
U.S Senate - Responsible for passing legislation, confirming presidential appointments and ratifies treaties.
U.S House of Representatives - Responsible for introducing and passing legislation, like bills related to revenue and spending.
Federal Offices - Appointed by President and Vice President and confirmed by Senate. Includes Cabinet Members, Supreme Court Justices, Federal Judges, and other Federal Officials. They implement policies, interpret and apply the law, resolve legal disputes, preside over trials and hearings in federal courts, and carry out other roles within the federal government.