After weeks of watching campaign ads on TV, reading news articles about measures and local candidates, and seeing yard signs here or there, Washington’s registered voters soon will have their chance to voice their opinion by casting their ballot in this year’s General Election.

But before you vote, we encourage you to read your Voters’ Pamphlet. Various versions of the statewide Voters’ Pamphlet were put in the mail starting Monday, which means you should receive yours any day now, if you haven’t already. By closely reading through it, you’ll have a better understanding of the issues. This year’s VP includes information on the three statewide initiatives and two proposed amendments to the state constitution.

Clark, Cowlitz, Franklin, Klickitat, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania and Whatcom Counties each combines its own Voters’ Pamphlet with our statewide VP, meaning those publications also have info on local races and ballot measures.

If you can’t wait for your statewide Voters’ Pamphlet to arrive in the mail, you can view the Online Voters’ Guide at www.vote.wa.gov.

By going here you can view TVW’s Video Voters Guide, which covers the five statewide ballot measures.

Many voters will receive their ballot next week. Counties have until Oct. 21 to mail out ballots. Click here to find out more about the election in your county.  Remember, your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day (Nov. 8), or placed in a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, in order to count!

If you have never registered to vote in Washington and you want to vote in the General Election this fall, you can register in person at your county elections department. Oct. 31 is the deadline.  (Sorry, last Monday was the deadline to register online for this year’s General Election.)