It’s National Voter Registration Day — register to vote or check your status

By Meredith Bailey and Jessica Mathews

Are you registered to vote?

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, Americans across the country will cast their ballots to determine the outcomes of many state and local races. The general election is also an opportunity to weigh in on important ballot measures that affect your community.

National Voter Registration Day is your chance to join more than 5 million people who have registered to vote on this nonpartisan civic holiday since its inception in 2012. Occurring annually on the third Tuesday in September, National Voter Registration Day celebrates our democracy by helping to ensure everyone who is eligible has the opportunity to vote.

Below, find key dates and other voting information for Washington and Idaho.

Why MultiCare supports civic participation

Supporting active citizenship and civic participation aligns with our mission of partnering for healing and a healthy future. The 20,000-plus individuals who together comprise our employees, medical staff and volunteers are more than just part of MultiCare — they are part of the communities we serve. Communities where we all live, play and raise our families.

Voting is foundational to being an engaged citizen. Every election, whether local, state or federal, helps determine the laws that govern us, the programs and support services available to us, and the elected officials who represent us on every level of government.

We encourage all employees and members of our communities to vote — this year and every year — to ensure we all have a voice in shaping our futures.

Voting in Washington

Washington is a mail-in ballot state. Registering early will help ensure that you receive your ballot in a timely manner. To register online or check your status, visit the VoteWA website.

For more information about other ways to register — which include by mail or by visiting a county elections department in person — visit the Washington Secretary of State’s Elections website.

Key voter registration dates in Washington:

• Monday, Oct. 30: Online and mail registrations must be received by this date (eight days before Election Day).
• Tuesday, Nov. 7: This is Election Day and the deadline for in-person voter registration or updates to an existing registration.

Once you are registered, your ballot will be automatically sent to you around Friday, Oct. 20. Your ballot must be filled out, signed and postmarked no later than Election Day, or returned to a ballot drop box by 8pm on Election Day.

If mailing your ballot within a week of Election Day, be mindful of mailbox collection times or use an official ballot drop box. A late postmark could disqualify your ballot.

If you prefer to vote in person, you have options. Every county in Washington opens a voting center prior to each primary, special election and general election.

During the voting period — which begins 18 days before and ends 8pm the day of the election — voting centers are available during business hours. You can locate your nearest voting center by visiting VoteWA or contacting your county’s elections department.

Voting in Idaho

Idaho is a vote-in-person state, but you may request a mail-in, or absentee, ballot if you prefer to vote by mail. Both voter registration and absentee ballot requests can be completed online, by mail or in person. To register or check your status, visit the Vote Idaho website.

Key voter registration dates in Idaho:

• Friday, Oct. 13: Voter registration deadline for the Nov. 7 election (postmarked by this date for mailed registrations; 5pm for in-person registrations; 11:59pm for online registrations).
• Monday, Oct. 23: Early voting begins (in participating counties).
• Friday, Oct. 27: Absentee ballot applications must be received by 5pm.
• Tuesday, Nov. 7: Election Day! You may vote in person at your designated polling place if you have not voted by mail. If you miss the deadline to register to vote by mail or online, you may register and vote in person on Election Day.