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Tag: Secretary of State Kim Wyman

Secretary Wyman, auditors propose election reforms

Secretary Wyman, auditors propose election reforms

Secretary of State Kim Wyman and county election leaders have announced a bipartisan proposal to clear the way to check for citizenship of people who want to register and vote in Washington. At a news conference in Spokane on Friday, Wyman and county partners proposed legislation for the upcoming session that would adopt the REAL ID Act for Washington. That would mean people would have to present citizenship verification to get a driver’s license, and election administrators could then do…

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Facebook helps spread the word: Register to vote!

Facebook helps spread the word: Register to vote!

Facebook has launched an internet drive to prompt people to register to vote, including many in Washington. From Friday through Monday, Sept. 26, people on Facebook who are 18 and older will get a reminder at the top of their news feed urging them to get registered to vote – or if they already are registered, to remind their FB friends to do so. Secretary of State  Kim Wyman, the state’s chief elections official, said Washington could set a single-day…

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WA Elections Division reaching out to 140k potential voters

WA Elections Division reaching out to 140k potential voters

Washington’s state Elections Division is sending out postcards to 140,000 state residents who appear eligible to vote, but haven’t yet registered. Many of the cards will go to new 18 year olds and to millennials between 19 and 35. The mailings will have a catchy, humorous graphic and information on how to quickly register online by Oct. 10. About 21,000 will go to 18 year olds and 72,000 to those 19-35. Eligible but unregistered 18 year olds will receive this…

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CFD Masquerade Ball Charity Gala at Capitol Oct. 22

CFD Masquerade Ball Charity Gala at Capitol Oct. 22

Secretary Wyman and others at the 2015 CFD Masquerade Ball. (Photo courtesy CFD) If you like dressing in gala gowns and tuxedos, wearing masks reminiscent of medieval masquerade balls, dancing the night away in the Washington’s Capitol Building, casino game time, art exhibits, silent auctions and beer and wine, then you definitely want to be at the 5th Annual Combined Fund Drive Masquerade Ball Charity Gala. The Washington State Combined Fund Drive (CFD) is hosting its annual event in Olympia…

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WA gets high marks for election info accessibility

WA gets high marks for election info accessibility

Ballotpedia, the nonpartisan online info source for politics and elections, has ranked Washington as the most improved state for accessibility of its Elections Division and voter and candidate information. Washington rose from 22nd in 2014 to third in the group’s 2016 ranking of the 50 states.  Washington got high marks for ease of online access, quality of information on the website, vote.wa.gov, and response time. Secretary of State Kim Wyman, the state’s chief elections official, said: “We are delighted to…

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WA General Election voting kicks off this week

WA General Election voting kicks off this week

Washington’s General Election voting season gets under way in just a few days, with counties sending ballots to over 72,000 military and overseas voters around the globe. Federal law provides extra transit time for military and overseas voters, with counties required to send out ballots 45 days before Election Day. This year, that’s Saturday, Sept. 24. A number of soldiers and others have also requested electronic versions. Still others use federal write-in ballots via the Federal Voting Assistance Program at…

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Want to dig into your family roots? Go to Ancestry Day Sept. 24

Want to dig into your family roots? Go to Ancestry Day Sept. 24

Interested in learning more about your family’s history? Whether you’re a genealogy expert or just starting to dig into your family’s roots, you’re encouraged to attend Ancestry Day in Tacoma Saturday, Sept. 24. The event is co-hosted by Ancestry, the Washington State Historical Society,  and the Office of Secretary of State’s Washington State Archives, Washington State Library and Legacy Washington . “This will be a great event for many people in Washington and the Northwest who want to learn more…

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Ruckelshaus, Unsoeld join list of extraordinary Washingtonians in “Who are We?” exhibit

Ruckelshaus, Unsoeld join list of extraordinary Washingtonians in “Who are We?” exhibit

Former U.S. Rep. Jolene Unsoeld (left) and Secretary Wyman share a laugh during speech by Bill Ruckelshaus. A new exhibit has opened at the State Capitol honoring Bill Ruckelshaus, Jolene Unsoeld and other extraordinary Washingtonians. “Who are we?” launched in ceremonies Thursday. It features historic photos and compelling life stories of newsmakers who’ve overcome long odds and influenced the state. The exhibit, created by the office’s Legacy Washington program and printed with private dollars, will be on display at the…

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Legacy WA launches “Who are we?” exhibit Aug. 25

Legacy WA launches “Who are we?” exhibit Aug. 25

Our Legacy Washington program is getting set to launch its latest exhibit, “Who are we?” It features historic photos and compelling life stories about a diverse group of Washingtonians who have overcome obstacles to leave positive marks on our state. The exhibit’s official launch is Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. in the State Reception Room on the third floor of the Capitol in Olympia. Secretary of State Kim Wyman will emcee the event, which is open to the public. Dancers…

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