• The Primary is September 14, 2003

• The General is November 2, 2003

• Anytime, however, you must be registered at least 30 days before an election.

• You may register between 30 and 15 days before an election and vote an absentee ballot, provided you have been a resident for at least 30 days and register in person at the Auditor's Office.
   

In order to become a registered voter, you must be:

• A United States citizen by birth or naturalization.
• Eighteen years old on or before election day
• A legal resident of the State of Washington

• Pick up mail-in registration forms at: Franklin County Auditor's Office - Elections Department, city and town halls, Regional libraries and public schools, most state and federal agencies, and fire stations. You may also Click Here to request a Voter Registration Form Online or Click Here to download the Mail-In Voter Registration Form.

• Or, E-mail a request or call Elections at (509) 545-3538.
   

• Call the Elections Department at (509) 545-3538 for an address change or to request a name change form.

• The change must be done at least 30 days before an election to be eligible for that election.
   

•  No, it does not cost money to register. It's free!

State legislation requires the County Auditor/Election Department to inquire into the validity of a voter's registration if a (1) voter identification card, (2) vote by mail ballot, or (3) jury notice are returned by the Post Office as undeliverable.

If one of the above occurs, an inquiry notice is mailed to your registered address. Your registration will be placed on inactive status until you respond.

• Pollsites open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.
   

• The precinct name, number and voting location are printed on your voter identification card.

• Locations and addresses are published in the Franklin County Graphic the Thursday before election day.

• If you are unsure of your pollsite location or need additional assistance, call the Elections Department at (509) 545-3538.
   

• You will vote a "special" ballot which will be researched by election staff and then presented to the Franklin County Canvassing Board who will approve or reject the ballot.

•  If the ballot is approved, only the votes cast for your district will be counted.

• If the precinct you go to does not have all of your districts candidates or issues on the ballot, you may write those choices on the ballot.

• Absentee Ballots are available in person 20 days before an election at the Elections Department in the Courthouse. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Absentee ballots are mailed 20 to 15 days prior to the election depending on what type of election it is and US Post Office scheduling.
   

• The last day absentee ballots are available is the day before the election.

• However, a ballot can be issued on election day for voters who live in a "vote-by-mail precinct," for voters who are hospitalized, or if the election is a "vote-by-mail" election.
   

• Any registered voter can sign up for "ongoing absentee status" by signing a written request.

• You can request a form from the Elections Department via e-mail or send a letter to Franklin County Elections which must include:

• Your name
• Date of birth
• Residence (physical address)
• Ballot mailing address (if different)
• Day time telephone
• Your signature
   

• Call the Elections Department at (509) 545-3538 and ask for a duplicate ballot or go to the Courthouse on Election Day and vote.
   

• If you must mail your ballot on Election Day, it is best to take it to a polling place prior to 8:00 p.m.

• If you go to the Post Office, do not assume your ballot will be postmarked on the same day you drop it off. However, arrangements are made with the local postmaster to postmark ballots on election day up until midnight.

• Visit the Secretary of State's Office elected official pages listed below to find the officials within your district. You will find the names of your representatives listed below the maps. You may also call the Elections Department at (509) 545-3538 and they can help you.

•  Legislative Members, District
  (Look up your legislative district.)

• Senate Members, District and Counties

• US House of Representatives (Congressional) and US Senate

• In-person filing week is July 26-30

• Mail-in filing period is July 12-30)

• Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) filing period is July 26-Aug 13
   

• US, State, and County offices will be on the fall ballots. Click here for a listing of positions and fees.
   

• When a candidate announces their candidacy, they must file with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) within two weeks.
   

• The Public Disclosure Commission number is (360) 753-1111.
   

• Prior to filing week (begins the fourth Monday in July), call the Public Disclosure Commission at (360) 753-1111, and ask for a list of candidates who have filed.

• Prior to filing week, check the newspapers, radio stations, and other media sources for citizens who have announced their candidacy.

• During and after filing week, call the Elections Department at (509) 545-3538 to find out who has filed a Declaration of Candidacy.

• A turnout equal to 40 percent of the ballots cast in the last General November election is required to validate a bond election in a given district. 

• Of that total turnout, 60 percent of the votes must be "yes," for the issue to pass.
   
  For example:

• If 1,000 votes were cast in the last November election,
• 400 total votes must be cast to validate (40 percent of 1,000),
• Of the 400 votes cast, 240 must be "yes" votes (60% of 400 = 240).
   

• The levy requirements are the same as the bond issue (listed above).

• However, if the required 40% does Not turnout, the levy can pass if the issue receives the minimum number of "yes" votes (240).
   

• Election results are posted online after 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Election Day.

• Additional election results will be posted at approximately 9:45 p.m. and every 30 minutes thereafter until all of the ballots have been tabulated.

• Primary and Special Election certification day is 10 days after Election Day.

• The General Election certification day is 15 days after Election Day.

• When the last report is posted, after 4:00 p.m. on Certification Day, it will state on the top left corner, "Summary"
   

•  After 9:00 p.m. the day after Election Day.

•  After 12:00 p.m. the Monday after Election Day.

•  After 4:00 p.m. on Election Certification Day.

• Precinct reports are available at the Auditor's Office, Election Department (Not available on the Home Page at this time).