Deadline looms to register for voting in the next election

Information provided by the Secretary of State, photos courtesy of the Chelan & Manson Voter Registration Drive

The deadline to register to vote in the next election is Monday, October 8th. Washington is a mail-in ballot state, with limited in-person voting options. You must register in advance to be included in the October 19th ballot mailing for the November 6th elections.

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

  • October 8
    Deadline for online & mail-in voter registration, address changes and other updates.
  • October 19
    Start of 18-day voting period (through Election Day). Ballots are mailed out and Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available at voting centers.
  • October 29
    Deadline for new Washington State voter registration (in person only).
  • November 6
    General Election

Where to register in Chelan County

Chelan County Auditor’s Office

350 Orondo Avenue, suite 306
Wenatchee, WA 98801

Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Contact your county elections department to:

  •  request a ballot or other voting materials
  •  file for a local office
  •  get help after a deadline
  •  make a change to your voter registration

On a Local Level: Dozens Register at Chelan-Manson Voter Registration Drive

More than three dozen signed up to vote or update their voter registration as part of National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Area residents and people from other counties stopped by one of four voter registration locations to get registered for the upcoming Nov. 6 midterm elections.

“We were very encouraged by the turnout.” said Carol Cotten, volunteer and registration drive coordinator. “While we may be a small community, we saw a lot of interest and enthusiasm from those registering as well as those already registered who stopped by and commended the volunteers for providing this community service. It’s great to see so many people across the spectrum gearing up to cast their vote.”

According to volunteer Concie Luna, one voter was very pleased to happen upon her voter registration table. “He’s from Poulsbo.” according to Luna. “He’s here on a contracting job and said he tried to register online but had trouble. He wasn’t sure when he’d find time to get registered but then stopped at the store to pick up dinner and seized the opportunity.”

Francisco Bahena, manager of Chelan IGA re-registered after letting his voter registration status lapse several years ago. “I hadn’t voted in a long time.” said Bahena. “I decided this year it’s time to get involved, time to do something. So I registered to vote.”

Instructions also were handed out to those expressing a preference to register online.

“Part of our goal was to help Chelan and Manson residents understand the importance of voting in our nations’ elections while also making it easy to register.” said Cotten. “Hopefully we were successful and will see an increase in voter participation as well.”

A registration site also was set up at Chelan High School. Manson High School will host one on Thursday, Sept 27. National Voter Registration Day was declared in 2012 as a non-partisan, nationwide, one-day effort to register voters. Chelan and Manson are among the 3,000 partners and more than 10,000 volunteers across the country joining in civic unity to encourage Americans to register and make their voices heard at the ballot box.

We hope you enjoy this gallery of photos from National Voter Registration Day.

Francisco Bahena, manager of Chelan IGA registering to vote with the assistance of Lori Ressler, right, behind the table. Bahena’s voter registration status lapsed because he hadn’t voted for several years. He decided it was time to get involved this year. So he chose National Voter Registration Day to get registered so he can vote.

Sam Belsky, one of the newest recruits to Chelan’s Fire Department updated his voter registration while stopping for lunch. Standing with Lt. Tyee Zacher on the left and assisted by volunteer Lori Ressler, behind the table.

New voter, Selene Andrade (front left) was excited to be registering to vote in her first election. Registration drive volunteer, Sue Chappell hands Andrade her official “Thank You” card stamped with “I Registered to Vote Today.”

Dillon Lynch (left) of Poulsbo, Wash., was pleasantly surprised to find a voter registration table in front of the market where he went to purchase dinner. He’d had problems registering online so Concie Luna (right) helped him sign up. He shook hands as he thanked everyone for holding this voter registration drive.

Chelan’s Mayor Mike Cooney and owner of The Vogue holding up the VOTE HERE sign behind voter registration volunteers for a snapshot. From left, Marcela Anaya, Diane Rittenmeyer and Wendy Isenhart. 

New Manson residents Richard and Susan Zalweski update their registration, literally one-day after moving to the area. Both moved to Manson from Whidbey Island the day before National Voter Registration Day. Volunteer Kristina Barkley is standing in the middle. Seated on the right are volunteers John Haggerty and Sally Anderson.