Links and a voter FAQ for GE 2019 in Whatcom County

Links and a new voter FAQ below the break!

Most Important Voter Site in WA:

 https://voter.votewa.gov

At "Votewa" you can 

• Keep your registration and address up to date
• Look at your voting guide for the next election
• Find your elected officials
• Check your voting history
• Check your ballot status

Washington State has "Same Day Registration" as of the last election. But in order to receive a mailed ballot for the full 18 day voter period, you should make sure you are an active voter and have the appropriate address update at https://voter.votewa.gov. If you are within 8 days of an election period you should  call and/or visit your county auditor. For a generic review of County ballots for GE 2019, you can try here. 

Party Sites:

Washington State Democrats

Washington State Republicans

Whatcom County Democrats Recommendations for the 2019 General Election:
https://www.whatcomdemocrats.org/2019/09/17/voter-recommendations-2019-general

Whatcom County Republicans Endorsed Candidates for the 2019 General Election:
https://whatcomgop.net/endorsed-candidates-2019

Candidate web sites and contact numbers can be found by following their linked names here:
https://voter.votewa.gov/GenericVoterGuide.aspx?e=566&c=37#/

Important Whatcom County Links:

Current Election:
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/1732/Current-Election

Last Day to Register or Change Address by Mail:
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=5040

October Calendar with Registration Dates:
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/calendar.aspx?CID=44

Sample Ballot:
https://www.whatcomcounty.us/DocumentCenter/View/43543/Sample-Ballot-GEN-2019

Whatcom County Voter Guide:
https://voter.votewa.gov/GenericVoterGuide.aspx?e=566&c=37#/

Forums:

Scheduled League of Women Voter Forums for GE 2019:

• Saturday Sept 28,2019 WC Council Chambers
• Saturday Oct 5,  2019 WC Council Chambers
• Saturday Oct 19, 2019 Ferndale High School
• Saturday Oct 19, 2019 Lynden City Hall Annex

All events start at 9:30AM.  For more information see https://www.lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org

BTV Political Forum and Debates:

City of Bellingham Community Televison:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtKY2DeY9GkBr35opV7E2Lg

General Election Bellingham City Club Executive Candidate Forum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhQLl-AEu_k

General Election Bellingham City Club Mayoral Candidate Forum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vSYv8fbiQ8

League of Women Voters General Election Forum from September 28th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqVgJVEgZKs

Primary Election Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj9c8-QztPhA9V-HGCy1_Y7XdLdK3b6BO

Print Media:

The Bellingham Business Pulse has a Special Election Issue this year. The Cascadia Weekly, the Northwest Citizen , the Whatcom Watch and the Bellingham Herald will have political recommendations, opinion pages and letters to the editor.

FAQ:

I am new to both the county and state. How do I register to vote?

See https://voter.votewa.gov/WhereToVote.aspx or call you local county elections office which you can find at https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/auditors/ . For Whatcom County, see https://www.whatcomcounty.us/1574/Elections

I have never lived in a vote by mail state. Any tips?

• Frequently check your voter status @ https://voter.votewa.gov Make sure you are active!
• If you move, change your address ASAP @ https://voter.votewa.gov
• There is an 18 day voter period in WA State.  Ballots will be mailed October 16, 2019 this year.
• Call your local elections department if you do not receive your ballot in a timely fashion.
• It is recommended you mail your ballot or deposit it a drop box early. 
• If there is any problem with your ballot or signature, an early ballot will assure plenty of time to 'cure your ballot' before the election. Check https://voter.votewa.gov a few days after you mail or drop off your ballot to confirm your 'ballot status' as 'accepted for tabulation'.
• Try to research and read enough to 'vote the whole ballot'! 
• If you have waited until almost ballot time, there is now Same Day Registration in WA state. Contact your local WA State auditor here for more information.

Washington State has "Same Day Registration" as of the last election. But in order to receive a mailed ballot for the full 18 day voter period, you should make sure you are an active voter and have the appropriate address update at https://voter.votewa.gov. 

What is political division like in Whatcom County?

• The county as a whole is about 60% D and 40% R in a Presidential Election year. The difference is often narrower in local election years which are often odd numbered years.
• There is a detectable urban liberal vs. rural conservative split but there are a lot of 'purple' precincts. 

Past election results help define per precinct votes for:

• GE 2018 U.S. Senator Race: (Cantwell vs. Hutchison): http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20181106/whatcom/Precincts-2.html 
• GE 2016 U.S. Presidential: http://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20161108/whatcom/Precincts-1.html

How do I find my precinct, legislative, congressional maps?
You might be able to find updated district maps here: http://documents.co.whatcom.wa.us/weblink8/browse.aspx?startid=2937976&dbid=100

Isn't everyone in Whatcom County just like the liberal young people I met partying in downtown Bellingham this last summer?
No, they are not. Bellingham is representative of Bellingham.  BTW, try not to drink and drive in Bellingham. Local law enforcement is very aggressive about DUI enforcement.

I want to get involved in politics in Bellingham. Where do I start?
Probably with the local parties or Legislative Districts. See the party links above.