General election Voters’ Pamphlet going out this week

For the Reporter

Are you ready to vote in the general election this fall? Make sure to first check your mail for one of the most useful educational tools you can have before you fill out your ballot.

The centennial edition of the general election Voters’ Pamphlet is being mailed throughout Washington this week. If you receive a damaged Voters’ Pamphlet or you don’t receive your copy by Oct. 22, please call the voter hotline at 800-448-4881 or email the Elections Division at elections@sos.wa.gov for assistance.

The Voters’ Pamphlet, provided by the Elections Division, is packed with useful information about state candidates and measures found on this fall’s ballot. It includes info on the three statewide initiatives on the ballot: Initiative 1351, which aims to lower class sizes in Washington public schools; Initiative 591, which would prohibit government agencies from requiring background checks on firearm recipients unless a uniform national standard is required; and I-594, which would require universal background checks on gun purchases.

The popular voter education booklet also has information on the two non-binding advisory votes on revenue-related bills passed by the state Legislature this year.

Here are some facts and figures about this year’s Voters’ Pamphlet:

• The Elections Division is mailing it to 3.2 million households throughout Washington. There is no opt-out list. It is delivered to every household in the state as required by the Washington Constitution. Mailing to all households is the most cost-effective way to deliver it.

• It’s printed in 27 regional editions, including in Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish (as required by federal law). The Chinese and Vietnamese versions are mailed in King County. Voters in Adams, Franklin and Yakima counties receive bilingual (English/Spanish) editions.

• Accessible audio and text formats are available for voters who are blind or have limited vision. Go here. if you need the Voters’ Pamphlet as a plain text, audio or Word document file. Voters without Internet access can contact the Elections Division for subscription options.

• Additional copies of the printed Voters’ Pamphlet are available in County Auditor offices, libraries, post offices, long-term care centers and disability service centers.

• The Elections Division does not fact-check or correct statements regarding arguments by candidates or ballot measure committees. They are printed as submitted.

Looking for other ways to study the election?

• MyVote – Visit MyVote to view your candidates and ballot measures.

• Online Voters’ Guide – View all state candidates and ballot measures online here.

• Video Voters’ Guide – The Elections Division and TVW have again teamed up to offer the 2014 Video Voters Guide, which includes statements by the candidates for the four state Supreme Court positions on the ballot, and pro and con arguments on the three statewide initiatives.