Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs urged voters to remain calm Steve Hobbs and return their ballots early as the state continues its legal fight against new federal requirements governing election mail ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Speaking during a Washington Democratic Party virtual briefing on Tuesday, Hobbs said state and county election officials are preparing for potential disruptions while defending Washington’s vote-by-mail system in federal court.
“Just remain calm and we’re going to keep fighting,” Hobbs said. “Don’t be afraid. We’re winning right now.”
Hobbs urged voters to use official ballot drop boxes rather than rely on mail close to Election Day.
“If you really want to mail your ballot, first of all, I would say just put it in a drop box,” he said.
Ballot drop box at the Angle Lake Transit Station in SeaTac (Photo by Ruth Bayang)
Washington has more than 550 ballot drop boxes, according to Hobbs, and the state says ballots placed in an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day are guaranteed to be on time.
The briefing also addressed concerns about federal involvement in state elections, ballot security and voter data.
Hobbs said Washington election officials are preparing contingency plans if the legal battle disrupts ballot delivery.
“We’re going to know in a very few short weeks if we have to go to a Plan B or C to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard at the ballot box,” he said.
Rep. Marilyn Strickland said Washington has conducted elections primarily by mail for years under secretaries of state from both major political parties.
She urged voters to participate.
“The United States does not have a voter fraud problem. We have a voter participation problem,” Strickland said.
Hobbs closed with a pledge to continue defending the state’s election system.
“If they put me to jail or prison because of that, so be it,” he said. “And remember, you are all a part of this. You all have to get the word out.”
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