Make your voice heard this November
Decisions made at the ballot box affect nurses, our patients, and the future of healthcare. Make sure your voice is heard by voting early.
Ballots for the Nov. 3 General Election are expected to go in the mail beginning Oct. 16.
With the flurry of news about federal activity aimed at changing how voting works, eligibility, and verification, it is important to know that Washington state’s vote-by-mail process is unchanged.
After the U.S. Supreme Court blocked proposed restrictions on mail-in ballots on Sept. 14, Washington’s secretary of state confirmed that ballots will go out on time.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs announced last month that our state will not use the Department of Homeland Security’s optional SAVE database for voter verification. He cited concerns about the collection of sensitive personal data and instances of the system identifying eligible voters as noncitizens.
Don’t leave voting until the last minute.
In the August primary, the U.S. Postal Service delivered some ballots late, meaning they did not get counted. To make sure your vote counts, WSNA recommends:
- Take time to review what’s on your ballot. The Washington State Labor Council has an election guide for union members, and you can review the WSNA PAC endorsements.
- Whenever possible, return your ballot to an official ballot drop box rather than relying on the mail. Find a drop box near you.
- If you’re returning your ballot by USPS, mail it as early as possible to allow enough time for delivery. Mailing it early gives your ballot the best chance of arriving in time to be counted.
- Track your ballot after you return it. Checking your ballot status can help confirm that it was received and accepted for counting. You can track your ballot through Washington’s official voter portal.
Decisions made at the ballot box affect nurses, our patients, and the future of healthcare. Make your voice heard this November.
There’s still time to register to vote. Washington’s online and mail registration deadline for the November election is October 26. Eligible voters can also register or update their registration in person at their local elections office through 8 p.m. on Election Day. Check your voter registration and ballot information at VoteWA.gov.