Voting: The Heart of Democracy

Join the League and the Bellingham Public Library on April 21 for an educational program, "Voting: The Heart of Democracy." Diana Bradrick, Whatcom County Chief Deputy Auditor, will discuss voting patterns in local, state, and federal elections; voting integrity in Whatcom County; and how to engage voters. We will also hear from Margaret Morales, Senior Research Associate at Sightline Institute, and the group FairVote Whatcom. Enter through the doors off the green at the back library (210 Central Avenue, Bellingham); doors open at 9:30 a.m., and the program begins at 10 a.m.

Our goal is to make all LWVBWC events and materials accessible to individuals with disabilities. Please inform info@LWVBellinghamWhatcom.com of any barriers you may encounter, and request modifications or accommodations that will make our activities and information accessible to you. We will do our best to accommodate all needs, but we cannot guarantee that accessibility will be available in every instance."

2018 Directory of Elected Officials Now Available

The 2018 LWVBWC Directory of Elected Officials, They Represent You (TRY), is now available. Find contact information for all your elected representatives, including state and federal elected officials as well as all local officials. The TRY also has information about voter registration deadlines and other resources to find out more about candidates, elections, and organizations.

County Council District 3 & At-Large Candidates Debate

You may view the recording of the October 23 Candidate forum held at Mt Baker High School here. The forum featured District 3 Candidates Rebecca Boonstra and Tyler Byrd and At-Large Candidates Barry Buchanan and Mary Kay Robinson.  Mt Baker School District Candidates Nancy Workman and Kelly Zender also answered questions at the event. Thanks to Robert Clark and the Center for New Media for recording the forum.

Your Vote Counts for the November 7 General Election

Information from Whatcom County Auditor.  

Ballots were mailed on October 18.  They can be returned in an official ballot drop box up until 8:00 pm on Election Day, November 7th.  Three new drop boxes have been installed: Acme Elementary School, Custer Elementary School, and inside the International Marketplace in Point Roberts. We hope voters will enjoy the convenience of the added locations, Auditor Adelstein said.  Ballots deposited in a drop box do not need postage.  All 18 locations are printed on the insert that will be enclosed with the ballot and are also printed in the Local Voters’ Pamphlet.

If returning your ballot through the mail, a 49-cent stamp is required and the ballot must have a postmark no later than November 7 to be counted.  The USPS now recommends mailing your ballot one week before Election Day.

If a voter doesn’t receive their ballot by October 27th, they should call the Election Division of the Auditor’s Office at (360) 778-5102.  

For additional information contact:  County Auditor Debbie Adelstein at (360) 778-5105 or Chief Deputy Auditor Diana Bradrick at (360) 778-5130.