John,

Voting is an important and precious responsibility. Vote and make your voice heard.

This week we are celebrating National Voter Education Week.

How do you become an informed and confident voter? Here’s a quick checklist to start:

(Although, lots of you are already registered, scroll down for three spooky election facts we’d be shocked if you already knew!)

✅ Double and triple check your voter registration at voter.votewa.gov. Make sure your mailing address and signature are up to date!

✅ Take time to research what’s on your ballot and triple-check. We made this easy for you by endorsing candidates who will champion the environment in state and local offices. Check out WCA’s 2024 endorsements here.

✅ Have a plan to vote. A time on your calendar. A ride to the drop box. The more specific your plan, the more likely you will follow through.

✅ Be aware of the two most important election deadlines. Register or update your registration ONLINE by October 29, 2024. Cast your ballot via dropbox by November 5, 2024, no later than 8 p.m.

✅ Track your cast ballot at voter.votewa.gov to make sure your vote is counted.

✅ Text three friends, family, and other members of your community to repeat this checklist and follow up with them!

Log on to your voter portal

All done? Now here are some spooky election facts for your upcoming (Halloween) party trick!

🎃 For the first 50 years of the republic, most voting wasn’t private, nor was it even on paper: Voters (then only white male landowners) showed up at the local courthouse and cast their vote publicly, by voice.

🎃 Paper ballots began to appear in the early 19th century. By mid-century, parties began to produce lists of their preferred candidates. Because these rectangular pieces of paper looked like the railroad stubs of the time, they were called “party tickets.”

🎃 In the 2016 election, electronic voting machines were targeted by Russian hackers in 21 states. As a result, many states scrapped their fancy electronic systems and went back to paper ballots that can be scanned. This is the system that Washington uses.

As you know, your vote is your voice. Help spread the word to celebrate National Voter Education Week with us! Let’s make sure everyone’s voices are heard this fall.

Onward to Election Day,

Joy Stanford (she/her)
Political and Democracy Director, Washington Conservation Action