Registering to Vote
Washington has the option to register to vote online at VoteWA.gov which can be accessed in 5 different languages. If you don't have a Washington State ID, a printable voter registration form is available in 23 different languages from the WA Secretary of State website. If you are unable to print a form, contact the elections division to have a form mailed to you.
Accessible Voting Units
Accessible voting units (AVUs) are available starting 20 days before Election Day, until 8 pm on Election Day. An AVU presents your ballot on a monitor. You select choices by touching the screen, or by using a selection tool. You can use headphones to listen to the text and prompts on your ballot. AVUs must be wheelchair-accessible and screened from other voters to maintain privacy.
Voters Pamphlets
The Washington Secretary of State is able to offer several different accessible formats of the voters' pamphlet for state level contests and candidates. You can find their accessible voters' pamphlet on their Voters with Disabilities page.
Whatcom County produces a voters pamphlet for local contests and candidates. If there is a February or April special election, the local voters' pamphlet is only mailed to registered voters receiving a ballot. For the August primary and November general elections the local voters' pamphlet is mailed to every resident in Whatcom County. For every election the local voters' pamphlet is available online.
Accessible Voting Advisory Committee
The Whatcom County Accessible Voting Advisory Committee (AVAC) was formed in 2006 pursuant to RCW 29A.04.223: “Each county shall establish and maintain an advisory committee that includes persons with diverse disabilities and persons with expertise in providing accommodations for persons with disabilities. The committee shall assist election officials in developing a plan to identify and implement changes to improve the accessibility of elections for voters with disabilities.”
The mission of AVAC is to create effective public education and outreach to inform the disabled community of the ability to cast a secret ballot independently on an Accessible Voting Unit. The committee additionally will be a source of communication between the disabled community and the Auditor’s Office to aid in identifying barriers that may preclude a person from registering and/or voting and any other election-related matter.
Contacting Our Office
The
Whatcom County Elections Division has staff available to assist with Spanish translations and we gladly accept relay calls from those with hearing or speech disabilities.
Additional Information and Resources
You can visit the
Washington Secretary of State's website for additional information.