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State Government

Remembering Sen. Andy Hill

Remembering Sen. Andy Hill

State Sen. Andy Hill gives a floor speech on the opening day of the 2015 legislative session. (Photo courtesy Washington State Archives) Washington’s legislative community and many others around the state were saddened by the news that state Sen.  Andy Hill died Monday after a reoccurring battle with lung cancer. Hill, R-Redmond, served the Eastside’s 45th Legislative District, winning the seat in 2010 and earning re-election in 2014. Hill, who worked at Microsoft before joining the Legislature, had been the…

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Washington celebrating Get out the Disability Vote Week

Washington celebrating Get out the Disability Vote Week

Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman on Monday launched the state’s first Get out the Disability Vote Week to bring attention to accessible voting information and ballots to the disability community and encourage them to participate in the upcoming General Election and learn how a ballot is counted. The state also took note of National Disability Voter Registration Week July 11-15. Twelve county election departments are also participating in the event (Cowlitz, Island, Chelan, Jefferson, Kittitas, Thurston, Pierce, Franklin, Clark,…

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WA voter reg sets a one-day record; total now tops 4.2m

WA voter reg sets a one-day record; total now tops 4.2m

Voter registrations in Washington hit a new one-day record on Monday, the deadline for online and mail-in registration. In that single day, 27,601 signed up online via the Secretary of State’s MyVote.wa.gov. That broke the previous record set just a day earlier, 23,167. Before that, the all-time one-day record was set last spring, 13,109, with help from Facebook prompts. The number of registered voters now stands at 4,207,379. It’s the first time we’ve exceeded 4.2 million. We celebrated our four…

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It’s Constitution Day!

It’s Constitution Day!

(Photos courtesy of Washington State Archives) We bet most of you didn’t even know it existed. After all, it doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as Independence Day. There aren’t any retail sales that capitalize on it. Since it occurs when fall is knocking on the door, it doesn’t entice us to eat outside. But Sept. 17 is a very important date in American history. It’s the date when the United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the…

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“Who are we?” exhibit speakers offer wise words

“Who are we?” exhibit speakers offer wise words

We’re still aglow from last week’s launch of the “Who are we?” exhibit created by our terrific Legacy Washington team. At the launch, we were thrilled to hear moving speeches by three of the Washingtonians featured in the exhibit. Here are excerpts: “We are in an era in which it’s almost sinful to defend government. And that is a real shame, because government is a necessary institution in a free society in order for it to work. And government will…

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Countdown for WA Primary 2016!

Countdown for WA Primary 2016!

Washington’s state Primary voting period is winding down, with Top 2 slots on the line for all nine statewide offices, U.S. Senate, Legislature, courts and assorted local races. Although voters have been super-engaged in the national presidential contest, response to the state Primary has been tepid in the  days leading up to the Tuesday deadline.  As of the weekend, the 39 counties reported receiving 583,489 ballots, or 14.3 percent of the 4,092,951 issued. None were processed over the weekend. Here…

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Governors’ executive orders over the years

Governors’ executive orders over the years

  Gov. Dixy Lee Ray issued several executive orders in 1980 that related to the Mount St. Helens eruption. (Photo courtesy of Washington State Archives) They might lack the authority and consensus of legislatively approved state laws, but executive orders are a powerful way that Washington’s governors have made things happen in state government over the years. Executive orders are formal orders issued by the governor, generally to cabinet agencies statewide, requiring that certain actions be taken. They may have…

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State agencies honored for food, book donations

State agencies honored for food, book donations

Secretary Wyman with representatives of state agencies honored at Well Fed Well Read recognition ceremony. (Photo courtesy Philip Kerrigan) Several state agencies, including our very own Office of Secretary of State, have been honored for their generosity in donating food and children’s books. Secretary of State Kim Wyman recognized these agencies’ contributions to the Well Fed Well Read donation drive this spring during a ceremony in her office Friday. The following agencies were honored for bringing in the most food:…

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Filing Week launches campaigns for hundreds

Filing Week launches campaigns for hundreds

Minutes after Filing Week ends May 20, State Elections Director Lori Augino (left) and Elections Division staff do a lot draw to determine the order candidates will appear on the ballot.  (Photo courtesy of Patrick McDonald) Washington’s 2016 election cycle is officially under way, with Filing Week completed and Secretary of State Kim Wyman certifying candidate lists to the 39 counties this week. Candidates also are preparing Voters’ Pamphlet statements, including photo, bio, statement and campaign contact information. Online deadline…

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Filing Week makes it official for WA candidates

Filing Week makes it official for WA candidates

Many Washington candidates have been campaigning for months, but it all becomes official May 16-20 with state Filing Week. Candidates for U.S. Senate and House, all nine statewide executive offices, most of the legislative seats, the judiciary and some local offices will sign up, designate their party preference and pay a filing fee. The Secretary of State will accept filings for federal and statewide candidates, the state Supreme Court, and all legislative and judicial offices encompassing more than one county….

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