John, Sabreen and I wish you and your family a safe and joyful Fourth of July as we celebrate 250 years of American independence and excellence!

As we honor the founding of our Republic, it's worth remembering what sustains it: confidence in our elections. Our Republic depends on election integrity, and much of that work happens right here at home, in the County Auditor's Office.

That's never been clearer than it is right now. On June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Watson v. Republican National Committee, which addressed how states like Washington handle mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive afterward. In a 5-4 decision, the Court upheld the practice of counting those late-arriving ballots as long as they're postmarked on time, preserving the rules Washington already follows.

Whatever your view of the outcome, one thing is clear: how our elections are administered, and who administers them, carries real consequences. That's exactly why the Auditor's Office deserves your attention this election.

This Independence Day, let's celebrate our freedoms, and stay engaged in protecting them!

- Dale & Sabreen