Legislative Update

Krystelle Purkey Voting in Washington

There are 4.1 million Washingtonians registered to vote. Of those registered, 78.7%, turned out to vote in the 2016 General Election, which was higher that the national rate of 61.4%. Overall, 3.3 million 

However, during the last special election in 2015, only 38.5% voted. It is not enough to vote only in Presidential elections. Although the  spent to increase voter turnout, your local elections have a higher rate of influence over your day-to-day life.

 local officials, are the lawmakers in charge of your local schools, roads, community development and more. These issues and policies have a direct impact on the success of your community. Therefore, your voice should be heard in these local campaigns, as loudly as it is in the national elections.

As a Washington voter, here are a few things you should know:

  mailed to your home and you mail in your votes.

  voting and you never have to wait in polling station lines.

 

           are placed directly on the ballot for a vote of the people.

   passed by the legislature, before it becomes law.

If you are not currently registered to vote, you have four options to get registered: online at www.sos.wa.gov/elections, print, by mail, or in person.

YOUR COMMUNITY COUNTS. YOUR VOTE COUNTS.

       community associations. As a community association member, you are regularly voting on board members, budgets, and other various decisions being made in your neighborhood.

In Washington, 74,000 individuals are elected to their community association boards each year. Therefore, you know first-hand how important voting is to the vitality of your neighborhood, and how difficult it can sometimes be to get enough people engaged.

As a community association, you have a unique ability to reach out to your neighbors. Here are some ways you can get your community  in the political process:

8 Community Associations Journal | September 2017 Registration Drive

          more at: https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/Washington- State-Guide-to-Registering-Voters.pdf

Open Up Your Clubhouse or Home

Many associations prohibit candidates from doorbelling in their community, therefore, limiting access to key decision-makers.           fundraisers, you are allowing your neighbors to have their voices heard and allowing the lawmakers to make their causes directly to their constituents.

  inform their constituents about current or upcoming legislative priorities, and allow the constituents to voice their opinions on these priorities and give suggestions to proposals that are important to them.

         

           legislative campaign committees:

     

  senatedemocrats.org

       information for the campaign staff and the candidates.

CAI Communications

As an active association, CAI has several events throughout the year where you can learn more about current legislation that impacts your community association directly. Additionally, information is regularly sent out via emails, social media posts, etc. that also informs you about legislation.

CAI RESOURCES

 Every vote counts—and together, we can have a powerful impact                to vote, CAI has made it easy for you to do so now 

—Krystelle Purkey is a contract Lobbyist.