Washington Governor Gregoire Encourages State Agencies to Promote Voter Registration

July 3, 2007 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today designated the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) as a voter registration assistance agency and directed the agency to appoint a voter registration assistance officer, efficiently help citizens register to vote and work with the Secretary of State’s office to ensure compliance with established voter registration procedures.

“It is one of the primary duties of government to make available to all citizens the opportunity to register to vote and, if needed, provide registration assistance,” said Governor Gregoire. “Our social service agency serves a diverse group of people every day and therefore is an ideal place to help more Washingtonians register to vote.”

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Governor Gregoire also encouraged all state agencies to provide on their web sites a link to the Secretary of State’s voter registration page and to consider other ways in which they might support and promote voter registration.

The National Voter Registration Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1993, required states to offer voter registration opportunities at state offices that provide public assistance and state-funded programs that primarily support people with disabilities.

DSHS will appoint a voter registration assistance officer to monitor and be responsible for compliance with state and federal voter registration assistance laws. The agency will use technology to provide efficient and effective in-person, online and telephone assistance and will comply with the Secretary of State’s established procedures for voter registration.

Source: Washington Governor