Election technology Smartmatic executives charged with bribery
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The United States Department of Justice on August 8 announced federal charges against executives of election voting machine company Smartmatic and former Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) of the Republic of the Philippines for alleged bribery and a money laundering scheme related to the 2016 Philippine elections. According to the indictment, between […]
Everett and Mukilteo levies failing, voters strike down Port Expansion
SNOHOMISH COUNTY—Statewide election results in Washington state are officially being tallied. Some races we can call early and others, we will have to wait as ballots are counted over the next several days. Overall, only 25% of the 517,543 ballots mailed have been returned and counted in Snohomish County as of August 6. Below are […]
Secretary of State’s office distributes $2 million to county elections offices to bolster security
OLYMPIA—In the second year of a statewide funding program to help counties improve their elections security, the Washington state Office of the Secretary of State has provided approximately $2 million to 29 elections offices statewide, with final calculations pending. The program’s third year of funding is now open. As in prior years, each county’s elections […]
Questions surround alleged 39th LD Democratic candidate’s checkered past
LAKE STEVENS—Zephaniah Borynack, who is running for the Washington State House of Representatives to represent the 39th District Position 1 as an alleged “Democrat,” has his fair share with legal trouble over the years, from explosives charges to a pattern of sexual misconduct. There also appears to be a possible link to his Republican opponent, […]
Election integrity bill sponsored by Sam Low signed into law
OLYMPIA—A bill sponsored by 39th District Representative Sam Low to modernize Washington state’s voter registration system and strengthen election integrity was signed into law on Wednesday, March 13, by Governor Jay Inslee. Representative Sam Low (R-Lake Stevens), the bill’s primary sponsor, emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration in getting the election integrity bill passed and […]
Secretary Hobbs praises Legislature for passing elections security bills and reinforcing important public services
OLYMPIA—During the 2024 legislative session, the Legislature approved several bills and $33.3 million in funding requested by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs that will enhance the integrity of Washington elections and improve support for charities and libraries statewide. “These bills and critical funding will go a long way toward reducing barriers to voter registration, enhancing […]
Snohomish County Auditor praises advance of election worker protection bill
EVERETT—In an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 45-4, the Washington State Senate passed Substitute House Bill 1241, on February 22, making it a Class C Felony to harass an election worker. The amended bill now moves back to the House, where it originally passed 86-11, for final approval. Governor Jay Inslee is expected to sign it […]
Voter registration bill unanimously passes in House, heads to Senate
OLYMPIA—With a unanimous 97-0 vote on Friday, February 9, the Washington State House of Representatives approved House Bill 1962 to improve the accuracy of voter registration lists, that if signed into law, would take effect on June 1, 2025. The bill now heads to the Senate for further deliberation. Currently, if a county auditor receives […]
Secretary Steve Hobbs calls on USPS to improve ballot delivery
OLYMPIA, Wash., November 18, 2023—Secretary of State Steve Hobbs sent a letter on Thursday to Mary Ann Simpson, Western States Government Relations Liaison Director, formally asking what steps the United States Postal Service (USPS) will take to prevent disused (out-of-service) mail collection boxes from being left in public spaces during Washington elections. “The delayed discovery […]
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs applauds new laws improving Washington’s elections
OLYMPIA, Wash., May 19, 2023—New laws and funding requested and supported by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs during the 2023 Legislative session will help ensure the integrity of Washington’s elections and improve access to the ballot for eligible voters. The bipartisan elections measures signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee help advance Secretary Hobbs’ top […]
