Kim Wyman Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

We’re Working On ‘Re:building Democracy’ In This Statewide Initiative. Here’s How To Watch And Join

By NWPB News March 10, 2021

Deepening polarization is eroding faith in the electoral and democratic process on which our democracy depends. What can we do to cultivate mutual respect, repair damaged relationships, and reweave a civic fabric frayed from years of growing division? Read More

Washington’s Electoral College Meeting In Olympia Full Of Emotion And Gratitude

By Doug Nadvornick December 15, 2020

Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman presides over the state's Electoral College vote in Olympia

Electoral college delegates in all 50 states cast their ballots Monday. In Olympia, Washington’s 12 Democratic electors cast their ballots for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. It was an emotional experience for some, including for person running the meeting.Read More

Dynamics Of Washington’s 2020 Election: Governor’s Race, State Legislature Looks Mostly The Same

By Scott Leadingham November 11, 2020

Incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee met with his GOP challenger, Republic Police Chief Loren Culp, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for a debate sponsored by the Washington State Debate Coalition and broadcast statewide.

The Washington state legislature is shaping up to be … pretty much how it looked before the election – with Democrats in control of both houses. But not with super-majorities. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins breaks down the 2020 election in Washington state, on this episode of NWPB's Uniquely NW News.Read More

Why Washington Accepts Ballots Postmarked By Election Day Well Into November, Unlike Oregon

By Austin Jenkins October 28, 2020

A ballot drop box in Thurston County, Washington. While ballots must be returned to a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, they can still be counted if they come in through the mail weeks later as long as they're postmarked by Election Day. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

Washington’s latitude about late-arriving ballots stands in stark contrast to Oregon, and more than half of states, where ballots must arrive by Election Day. In fact, by allowing ballots to still be counted nearly three weeks after the election, Washington has the most generous policy in the nation, according to a recent analysis.Read More

Elections Officials Say There’s No Evidence Washington State Systems Have Been Compromised

By Austin Jenkins October 23, 2020

A person drops off a ballot for Washington state's primary election, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at a collection box at the King County Administration Building in Seattle. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

State and local election officials in Washington said Thursday that election systems here are secure and haven’t been hacked. Those assurances follow multiple reports in recent days of efforts by foreign actors to interfere with the upcoming national election.Read More

Newcomers, Up-And-Comers, And Almost Lifers: Your Guide To Washington’s Statewide Races

By Austin Jenkins October 21, 2020

Washington's August 4 primary ballot is chock full of candidates even though traditional campaigning has, in many cases, been put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. CREDIT: Washington Secretary of State's Office

Since 2011, Washington has been an all vote-by-mail state. This year, ballots will be mailed out no later than October 16. They must be returned to an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked by that day. Election officials recommend voters use one of the nearly 500 official ballot drop boxes or voter centers statewide. Read More

With Elections Under The Microscope, Washington Has A Fierce Race For Secretary Of State

By Austin Jenkins October 16, 2020

Republican Kim Wyman, left, is seeking a third term as Washington Secretary of State. Democratic challenger Gael Tarleton is seeking to unseat Wyman.

For more than half a century, Republicans have had a lock on Washington’s Secretary of State’s office. This year, Democrats hope to end that five decade run by unseating incumbent Kim Wyman who’s seeking a third term.Read More

Ballot Printers Increase Capacity To Prepare For Mail Voting Surge

By NPR News May 4, 2020

Runbeck Election Services oversees production of tens of millions of mail-in ballots for elections nationwide in Phoenix, Ariz. With many states expected to expand mail-in voting for November, experts warn that existing ballot printing services could quickly become overwhelmed. CREDIT: Ash Ponders for NPR

With mail-in voting set to grow due to the coronavirus, experts warn that the companies that print ballots could get overwhelmed. One of the country's biggest vendors is ramping up capacity quickly.Read More

Washington Election Officials Sound Alarm Over New Voter Registration System

By Austin Jenkins July 11, 2019

If Washington voters don't mail in ballots, they can return them in person to drop boxes like this one at the Yakima County Elections Office. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

County election officials in Washington are warning that a new statewide voter registration database system is not ready for the state's August 6 primary and could result in some voters getting incorrect ballots or no ballot at all. The concerns reached a crescendo on Tuesday at a work session of the Washington Senate's State Government, Tribal Relations and Elections Committee.Read More

U.S. Department Of Justice Also Seeks Voter Information From States

By Austin Jenkins July 3, 2017

Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman says she’s confident the state is in compliance with federal voting laws. Her office recently received a letter from the Department of Justice’s voting […]Read More

Washington Secretary Of State Returns To Work After Cancer Treatment

By Austin Jenkins July 3, 2017

Secretary of State Wyman returned to work after several weeks of cancer treatment. TED S. WARREN / ASSOCIATED PRESS Listen Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman has returned to work […]Read More