Voting season is upon us, and it’s never too early to educate yourself before Election Day on November 2nd. The weight of each election is just as important as the last, and your vote is your voice -- please, make sure you use it loudly! Read on for some interesting facts about the history of voting in our state. We’ve also outlined a timeline with key dates and deadlines in Washington to help you stay on top of the 2021 Election.

Did you know? Women gained the right to vote in WA in 1910. It wasn’t until 1971 that Washington allowed 18-year-olds to vote (the age was 21 prior), and only a little over a decade after that our state also allowed vote-by-mail, making the system more inclusive and accessible to all citizens. We are one of only nine states that allow primary mail-in ballots (go us!) -- the rest require voters to request them.

Register! If you haven’t already, make sure you are registered, or your existing voter registration is up-to-date with your current address and personal information. You can update this info online at www.voter.votewa.gov or in-person at any voting center. The deadline for online registration is October 25th; you can register in-person up until Election Day.

Vote! In Washington, every registered voter is mailed a ballot, making it super easy to fulfill your civic duty and be the change. You can also vote in-person, be sure you grab the correct form of ID before you go. October 15th is the beginning of the 18-day early voting period when you’ll receive your ballot, and October 25th is the deadline to mail in your ballot. November 2nd is Election Day, meaning your last chance to drop off your ballot in a ballot box!

Just a few small steps to making a huge difference. In the meantime, identify the issues that are important to you, and don’t be afraid to pursue a respectful and honest two-way dialogue about your opinions. Topics such as race, immigration, the pandemic, climate change, gun control, and mental health are all important to consider this November and beyond, no matter your stance.

Any voting tips you’re following this year? Let us know on Instagram and Facebook, we’d love to share them with everyone.