By MARIO LOTMORE | Last Updated October 3, 2019
On September 24th, the League of Women Voters – Snohomish County (LWVSC), hosted over a dozen voter registration drives at local libraries throughout Snohomish County. At these events, LWVSC volunteers also answered voting related questions.
“Voting is important. It is the basis for our democracy,” said Alice Owen an LWVSC volunteer. Owen is a 27-year resident of Edmonds and wife of the late John Owen who was an award-winning sportswriter and journalist at Seattle P.I. She is an artist and active member of the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church.
When asked why she is registering to vote, Mahder Hailu, an Ethiopian-American and a new American citizen said, “Life is a struggle. Voting is an opportunity for upward mobility and defending democracy.” Hailu’s top issue is healthcare and is proud this will be the first time she will vote.
To register to vote in the state of Washington, you must be: a citizen of the United States, a legal resident of Washington state and not claiming the right to vote in any other state, at least 18 years old by election day (16- and 17-year-olds may pre-register but will not appear in the look-up system or receive a voter registration card until their 18th birthday), not under the authority of the Department of Corrections, or not disqualified from voting due to a court order.
Residents may register to vote online; in person at Snohomish County Elections, 1st Floor, Admin Bldg. West, 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett; or by mail (forms are available in 19 different languages).
The last day to register or update information online or by mail is October 28; whereas, the last day to register or update information in person is election day – November 5. For more information on the LWVSC and to keep up with their future events, go to lwvsnoho.org.
Author: Mario Lotmore
