voters

In high school classrooms and on college campuses, students learn about the U.S. system of governance and the country’s political history. This November, some get to make their voice heard in those systems for the first time as voters. In the Northwest, the issues driving some of these voters vary; from social issues to economics to housing. Still, others are choosing not to vote.

If you were to drive the farthest west you can in Washington, you’d reach Clallam County. That’s on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, nestled between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean. It’s a remote, wide county, where you can visit Olympic National Park and drive from sunny Sequim to rainy Forks. It’s a place known for its beauty and for its wilderness.Now, it’s made a name for itself in national politics.In 2020, Clallam County voters went blue and voted for Joe Biden. Not only did that break the mold of how they voted in 2016 when they went red for Donald Trump, but it made them the last bellwether county.

A few months from now, people across Washington state will vote in this year’s general election. Most will vote by mail, with the ballot mailed to them from their county auditor.Voters will fill out their ballots, sign the envelopes and drop them off in a ballot box or send them in the post, where a team of election workers will accept those ballots and send them over to a machine to be counted.

Primary elections are underway, and you may have doubts about how to fill out your ballot. A Yakima elections leader gives some tips from that people can keep in mind to make sure their vote counts.

The Washington State Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the Latino voting rights lawsuit against Franklin County. The hearing comes one year after Latino voters settled an agreement with the county to create single-member district systems for elections. But during the case, a Franklin County citizen challenged the constitutionality of the Washington State Voting Rights Act. Now, that challenge appeal is keeping the matter open.

(Runtime 2:42) Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is calling attention to election issues, particularly cyber threats. Hobbs is making cyber…

(Runtime 1:27) Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is touring counties in Washington to meet with county auditors and inform voters of the work of…