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Elections

`Direct democracy’ sponsors eye ballot spot

`Direct democracy’ sponsors eye ballot spot

Two citizen initiative campaign submitted boxloads of petitions by the Friday deadline, and both appear to have an excellent shot at making the statewide ballot this fall. Tim Eyman, the state’s most prominent use of the initiative process, turned in what he and co-sponsors Jack and Mike Fagan estimated at at least 334,000 signatures for their Initiative 1366. That measure would direct the Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the 2016 ballot for ratification — or face a 1-cent…

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Secretary Wyman: `Voters win’ with 2016 Presidential Primary

Secretary Wyman: `Voters win’ with 2016 Presidential Primary

OLYMPIA – Secretary of State Kim Wyman is praising lawmakers for ensuring that Washington voters will have a voice in the 2016 presidential nominating process. Lawmakers in both chambers and both parties joined in approving $11.5 million for the state to hold a Presidential Primary next winter. Wyman, the state’s chief elections officer, will advocate for a March 8 election, conducted by mail over an 18-day period. The Primary is a big opportunity to engage voters, she said: “The voters…

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SOS panel: Wyman talks elections with Munro, Reed

SOS panel: Wyman talks elections with Munro, Reed

Former Secretary of State Ralph Munro (left) talks about an elections issue as current Secretary of State Kim Wyman and her predecessor, Sam Reed, listen. (Photo courtesy of Lori Augino) The current and two most recent secretaries of state for Washington were featured guests at the annual state elections conference in SeaTac on Thursday, sharing their stories and experiences from the past 34 years during a panel discussion. Ralph Munro, who served 20 years as secretary of state beginning in…

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Wyman honors outstanding county elections workers

Wyman honors outstanding county elections workers

During this week’s 2015 state Elections Conference in SeaTac, Secretary Wyman and many in our Elections Division are joining Washington’s county auditors and their elections employees to learn or share new ideas and practices that will allow them to run elections even better both at the county and state levels. For Wyman and state Elections Division Director Lori Augino, it also was an opportunity to present the state elections awards during Wednesday’s luncheon. Award winners include: Secretary Wyman (right) with…

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Wyman surprises Kids’ Art Contest winner in class

Wyman surprises Kids’ Art Contest winner in class

Emily Cain and Secretary Wyman (right) hold up a poster of Emily’s winning artwork in her class. With them (from left) are Emily’s teacher, Kevin Plough, and her mother, Amanda Cain. (Photo courtesy of Lindsay Pryor) Emily Cain began Wednesday morning at Burien’s Cedarhurst Elementary School like she has many times before it. But what was a routine day for the fourth-grader took a major change around 9:30. Her mom and her little brother unexpectedly entered her classroom. Then walked…

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WA candidate Filing Week runs May 11-15

WA candidate Filing Week runs May 11-15

Campaign season in Washington soon will become official when candidates for public office file with election officials during the week of May 11-15. Filing by mail, a seldom-used option, opened April 27. But the more popular methods of filing for office, in-person or online, will take place during Filing Week. Depending on the office sought, candidates will file either with the Secretary of State’s Election Office (520 Union Ave. SE in Olympia) or with their county auditor/elections department. This is…

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April 28 special election coming up

April 28 special election coming up

Nearly half of Washington’s registered voters are receiving their ballots this week for the April Special Election voting period that ends April 28. The Elections Division reports that mail ballots are being sent out by this Friday to more than 1.7 million voters (44 percent of state’s registered voters) in 19 counties for this election. Military and overseas ballots were sent out in late March. Measures facing voters include fire, hospital, park and transit district levies, school bond measures and…

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Secretary Wyman unveils 2016 Presidential Primary plan

Secretary Wyman unveils 2016 Presidential Primary plan

Secretary of State Kim Wyman is urging lawmakers to authorize a 2016 Presidential Primary and ensure that voters have a strong voice in the nominating process for the highest office in the land. Wyman, the state’s chief elections officer, said there will be huge public interest in the wide-open White House race next year, and that voters here deserve to be involved. Unveiling her proposal on Tuesday, she said: “My goal is to secure a voice for our Washington voters…

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Kids’ Art Contest to honor anniversary of Voting Rights Act

Kids’ Art Contest to honor anniversary of Voting Rights Act

Talia Anderson of Port Angeles was the winner of the 2014 Kids’ Art Contest, which celebrated Washington’s 125th birthday. (Image courtesy of Elections Division)  Our office is inviting Washington’s fourth- and fifth-graders to enter the 2015 Kids’ Art Contest! This year’s theme is “Every Vote is Equal!” to honor of the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Students are encouraged to discuss the importance of this landmark piece of legislation in their submissions. This Voting Rights Act ensured that…

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Initiative filing season under way

Initiative filing season under way

Around here, January’s arrival doesn’t mean just a new year, it also means the start of another initiative filing season. Filing for Initiatives to the People opened Jan. 3. Registered voters can file initiatives here through July 2. Thirty-seven initiatives have been filed as of Friday morning, 17 of them by initiative king Tim Eyman. Of the 37, 29 have been assigned numbers. Go here to see the initiatives filed so far. In Washington State, any registered voter may propose new…

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