How much do you know about the vote in Washington?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2017. Many important races and issues are on the ballot this election. Make your vote count! Be sure that your mail-in ballot is postmarked no later than November 7. How much do you know about voting in Washington? Find out with our quiz:

Question #1

Washington state has the worst rate of voter registration in the country. True or false.

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False, according to a report on voter registration statistics, Washington state went from being in 42nd place among the states for percent of citizen voting age population registered to vote in 2014 to 11th place in 2016. About 1 million more voter registrations were reported in that time period. The ACLU-WA is working to ensure that the state complies with federal laws requiring that voter registration be offered when a person submits, renews, or changes an application for public benefits. Tens of thousands of opportunities for voter registration have occurred in recent years due to this effort.

Question #2

Washington state has the best rate for voter turnout in the country. True or false.

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False, according to a report on voter registration statistics, Washington had the 10^th-best voter turnout for the 2016 election, slightly above the national average of 63% of citizen voting age population, but not as good as Oregon which was one of the few states with over 70% voter turnout.

Question #3

In Yakima and Pasco, city council positions are still elected at-large instead of by districts, making it difficult for Latino candidates to get elected. True or false.

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False, as a result of lawsuits filed by the ACLU of Washington, both Yakima and Pasco changed from an at-large system for city council positions to primarily voting by districts. In the first city council election after the change in Yakima, several Latina councilmembers were elected, and this fall’s city council election will be the first under the new system in Pasco.

Question #4

If I have a criminal record, or am homeless, or disabled, I can’t vote. True or false.

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False, in Washington state you lose the right to vote only if you are convicted of a felony in adult court; and even with a felony conviction, your right to vote is automatically restored if you are no longer in prison and no longer on DOC community custody. For more info, see our Voting Rights Restoration pamphlet or our Guide to Frequently Asked Questions about Voting Rights Restoration in Washington.

Washington law also has provisions allowing people with non-traditional addresses to register to vote and receive their ballot – a shelter or service provider can be used as a mailing address, and your physical location is used to determine your district. Watch our video on how to vote with a non-traditional address.

Additionally, for anyone with a disability needing to use a form of voting other than a mail-in ballot, there are accessible voting sites designated for that purpose; see the Washington Secretary of State Website for more details.