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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 |
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Why vote?
Do you care about the environment? The economy? Fighting climate change?
Health care for your family and friends? Funding for education? The
influence ofmoney inpolitics? Financial aid for college or finding a jobwhen
yougraduate?How about the peoplewho runyour school board, work in city
hall and represent you inCongress?
Decisions that need to bemade – and
thatwill impact you – aremade at all
levels of government. The peoplewho
runyour school board, work in cityhall
and represent you in theWashington
legislature andCongress aremaking
decisions everyday that impact your
life. Voting is your chance to choose the
decision-makers and tell themwhat you
want.
Who votes?
It’s estimated that onemillionpotentially
eligible citizens are not registered to vote inWashington. To participate in
this grand electionprocess, youwill need to be registered to vote.
The power of the youth vote
Didyouknow that themillennial
generation (those born after 1980) is
the largest generation in the history
of theUnitedStates? The group
is larger than the baby boomers
and twice the size of GenerationX.
Nearly13,000Americans turn18
everyday—whichmeans there are
millions of potential new voters each
year. Take note:millennialsmake up
31percent of the votingpopulation,
while the Silent Generation (ages
71+)make up only12percent.
1
But
only46percent ofmillennials voted
in2012, comparedwith72percent
for the older group.
Imaginewhat theworldwould
be like if allmillennials voted!
Or even voted at a rate similar to
their grandparents?Whatwould
our policies be like?What types of
candidateswouldwin? Some say a
modest increase of the youth vote—
even2percent—has the potential
to alter outcomes inmany elections.
That’s clout! That’s power!
How to register
September 27 isNational VoterRegistrationDay. Organizations from all over
theUnitedStates are supporting this effort. Don’t be left out! If youhaven’t
already registered to vote andyou are qualified, do itNOW. If you are not
eligible yet, plan to register on or shortly before your 18th birthday.
If youhave questions about your eligibility, contact your county elections
office. You canfind the elections office at
If youhave a currentWashington state driver’s license or ID card, you can
register to vote, verifyyour registration or update your address at
In order to vote thisNovember, youmust register:
• Bymail byOctober 8 (Remember, October 10 is anational holiday and the
post officewill be closed.)
• Online byOctober 10
• Inperson byOctober 31 at your county election office.
Your community library canhelpyou access theMyVotewebsite. Or, visit the
League’s
voters’ guide.
Washington residents can also register to vote and check voting information
using theMyVote app onFacebook andTwitter. Search forMyVote –
Washington state.
Prefer paper? Print the form in one of several languages at
wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/en/voters/Pages/register_to_vote.aspx
,
or request a form fromyour county elections office. If youmail the form back,
make sure it is postmarked byOctober 8.
If your signature has changed over time, you shouldupdate your registration
using a paper form.Mail-in ballots are validated by comparing the signature
on the back of the envelope to the registration signature onfile.
1
A citizen of theUnitedStates
2
A legalWashington state resident
3
18years old byElectionDay
TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN
WASHINGTON STATE, A
PERSONMUST BE:
LearnMore
Ask people about the first time they voted.
People especially remember their first
presidential election. Perhaps there are
stories about the first women to vote in your
family. When did you first vote, or whenwill
you be eligible?Make your plan to register
to vote - and then do it! Help someone else
register for the first time or tomake changes
to their registration.
ELECTION2016: YOURCRITICALROLE IN THEELECTIONPROCESS
Make a list of the values you
have, andwhat you care about.
Then youwill be ready to look
for candidates and issues that
match up.
TIP
