Help Highline Voices Be Heard
Whether you have voted for years or are a first-time voter, there are a few simple steps you can take to increase voter turnout in Highline.
Read our top five actions voters and future voters can do following National Voter Education Week (October 7-11).
Choose at least one action this week and in the weeks leading up to the General Election on November 5. Make sure Highline voices are heard.
1. Register to Vote. It's the first step in becoming a voter!
If you’re not registered yet, or you need to update your voter registration, become a registered voter today!
- Check your registration status and Washington state voter registration deadlines.
- Check voter eligibility in Washington state.
- In Washington state, 16- and 17-year-olds can sign up as Future Voters and be automatically registered to vote when they become eligible. A voter who turns 18 between the August Primary and the November General Election can vote in the Primary.
2. Get to Know Your Ballot
Check out your ballot before you cast your vote! Your ballot isn’t a pop quiz; you can review it beforehand to understand the candidates running for federal, state and local offices, as well as any ballot measures or amendments. By taking the time to research and understand your ballot, you can confidently cast your vote in alignment with your values and beliefs. By taking just a little time before you vote, you can make your voting process easy and stress-free. Your future self will thank you!
- Go to King County Elections My Voter Info to see a copy of what your ballot will contain.
- Print out, screenshot, or otherwise save your choices for each item on your ballot.
- King County Elections will mail ballots to registered voters on October 16. They mailed overseas, service, and out-of-state ballots on September 20.
3. Make a Plan to Vote
You are more likely to vote if you make a plan to do it. By learning more about the options for how and when to vote, you can easily incorporate voting into your daily routine and vote the way that works best for you.
- You can vote and return your ballot as soon as you receive it in Washington state. Returning your ballot early allows time to correct any issues with your signature so that your ballot counts.
- Decide HOW you plan to vote: By mail, at a Vote Center, or by using one of 84 convenient ballot drop boxes in King County between October 17 and November 5 before 8:00 p.m.
- Ask yourself WHEN you plan to vote: Add it to your calendar today!
4. Understand the Process
Understanding how the voting process works not only empowers you to feel confident in your vote, but it also allows you to be an advocate for our democratic system with others in your community. By familiarizing yourself with how elections work, who runs them in your community, and the systems in place to ensure accuracy and transparency, you can identify misinformation and false narratives about elections and help others feel confidence in the process and outcomes.
- Learn more about how elections are run in Washington state.
- Learn how ballots are handled in King County. You can watch King County Elections workers sort ballots, check signatures, open, and scan ballots live during an election.
5. Share with Friends and Family
People are more likely to vote when encouraged by someone they know and trust. By providing voting information, you empower your loved ones to take action and make their voices heard at the ballot box. Plus, discussing the voting process builds trust and solidarity within communities, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and engagement in the democratic process.
- You are a trusted voice in your community! Help your friends and family register to vote and get the information they need to vote using sample materials online.
- Triple your vote by helping three friends get #VoteReady because #HighlineVotes.
Resources
Thank you in advance for celebrating National Voter Education Week all month long with us! You can visit the following websites for more information and resources about voting and elections:
- National Voter Education Week
- Rock the Vote (non-partisan, non-profit dedicated to building the political power of young people)
- King County Elections
- Washington Secretary of State Elections Division