Young People Can Preregister To Vote In Washington

Young people in the state of Washington who aren't old enough to vote can now preregister. A new law in the state says starting on July 1, people can preregister to vote starting at age 16, though they won't be added to the list of registered voters until the next election at which they'll be 18-years-old. Yakima County Auditor Charles Ross says they'll be partnering with area school districts in the program. But he says they've been pushing the same thing for years in Yakima working with area school districts over the last 20 years.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures , Washington joins 12 states and the District of Columbia in allowing preregistration beginning at age 16. Ross says it's a way to get young people excited and interested about becoming a voter.
Under another measure signed by Inslee, starting June 30, 2019, Washington voters will be able to register to vote in person at a county auditor's office or elections office up until 8 p.m. the night of an election. Current law cuts off in-person registration at no later than eight days before an election.