Register to Vote

Hi. I want to encourage you to register to vote if you haven’t already in time for the general election on November 2nd. This election we will be electing US house representatives, state house reps and senators, and other offices. There will also be a number of important local and state ballot initiatives.

In order to qualify to vote on November 2nd, voters must be registered in advance. You may register online, by mail or in person. If you register by mail the deadline for registering or transferring your voter registration is 30 days before an election. You can pick-up an application at local libraries, post offices or department of motor vehicles. If you miss the 30-day mail-in deadline or if you prefer, you can register in person at the King County Elections Office up to eight days before the election. To vote in the general election on November 2nd you need to register by mail by October 4th or in person by October 25th.

If you are at least 18 years old and are a US citizen you have the right to vote even if you are unemployed, homeless, between permanent residences, or living in a shelter. People who are homeless can register at the shelter, park, motor home, intersection or other identifiable location they consider their residence and use a post office box, address of a friend or relative, shelter, or general delivery at a local post office as their mailing address.

Even if you have been convicted of a felony you can now vote. In 2009 the Washington Legislature passed a new law that restores the right to vote automatically to people with felony convictions when they have completed their time in prison and have served any required community custody supervised by the State Department of Corrections.

However you must be registered in order to vote. For more information, call the Toll Free State Voters Information Hotline at 1-800-448-4881

If you want to know how the state ballot initiatives will help or hurt homeless and low income people you should check out the U District Conversation on Homelessness “are you ready to be a legislator?” forum on Sunday September 26th from 630 pm to 830 at University Heights Center on NE 50th St between Brooklyn & University Way NE in Seattle.

Your vote will make a difference. We hope you will take a stand for what you believe in and vote on November 2nd.