Elections

How is King County doing?

King County has a comprehensive, non-partisan voter registration process that involves the public and private sector as key participants to register voters, providing the opportunity to participate in King County government. Voter registration is the process of verifying potential voters and entering their names and other substantiating information into the voter registration database.

One of several voter registration statistics monitored is the number of new registrations where a slight upward trend in the number of new registered voters is seen since 2005.

What else influences these indicators?

In addition to conducting direct voter outreach, King County trains outside organizations on the proper techniques for voter registration. Among these groups are local students, nonpartisan and partisan political groups, campaigns and proponents of various causes.

The type of election (special, primary or general) along with candidates and measures on the ballot influence voter registration. Statistically, voter registration rates typically surge surrounding presidential year elections. This number is de-emphasized, and not included in the baseline measurement since it only occurs once every four years. In addition to registration rates rising, turnout is significantly higher in presidential election years. Legal issues, such as cut-off dates, length of time at a new residence and convenience of voter registration also influence registration figures.

What role does King County government play?

King County Elections plays a comprehensive role in the voter registration process. In addition to conducting direct voter outreach, King County trains public and private outside organizations on the proper techniques and rules for voter registration. In the next two years King County Elections will increase direct outreach efforts, raising the number of new voter registrations by through enhancing internal processes, voter education and outreach programs. In addition to increasing registration numbers and ultimately turnout, outreach events help Elections disseminate important voter information. These efforts will foster voter awareness through education and stressing the importance of proper registration and voting.

As process enhancements and voter education and outreach efforts are implemented, a more detailed level of baseline indicators will be developed in an effort to measure the impact of those efforts.