Election Observation Resource Page
The responsibility of keeping the government accountable falls to us as citizens. When it comes to the election process, we have an important role to play - the role of the Election Observer. Even in just the past few years, there have been too many examples of failure to count votes accurately and efficiently. To help resolve these mistakes, we need to have more watchful eyes taking account of how each ballot is being processed in our state.
Observing the ballot count is a valuable service to your community and a necessary safeguard; it helps insure an honest and fair election. Follow the links below to learn more about how the process is conducted in Washington State.
Link to State Handbook:
Observer’s Guide for Washington State Elections
EFF Elections Resources:
Election Observer Training Packet (2005)
Election Observer Training Presentation (2005)
POST-ELECTION REPORT FOR TABULATION OBSERVERS (2005)
POST-ELECTION REPORT FOR POLL OBSERVERS (2005)
County Auditor Contact Information
In Washington State, the county auditor is responsible for running a clean and accurate ballot count. You will need to contact them in order to learn when and where the ballots will be processed for both the Primary and General elections, and when their election observer trainings are being held.
Below you will find the contact information for each county auditor as well as any specific information you may need to know for that county.
County: Adams
Address: 210 West Broadway Ave Suite 200
City: Ritzville, WA
Zip: 99169-1897
Phone: 509-659-3249
Fax: 509-659-3254
Email: heidih@co.adams.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Asotin
Address: PO Box 129
City: Asotin, WA
Zip: 99402-0129
Phone: 509-243-2084
Fax: 509-243-2087
Email: ejohnston@co.asotin.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Benton
Address: PO Box 470
City: Prosser, WA
Zip: 99350-0470
Phone: 509-736-3085 and 509-786-5618
Fax: 509-786-5528
Email: elections@co.benton.wa.us
Notes:
We encourage any interested parties to come observe the election process. We give the observer a basic walk through of each process of the ballot preparation process including signature verification, ballot preparation, and ballot resolution. There is no appointment necessary and there is no "observer training day". Observers can come in at any time they are available. All observers are required to sign in and will be issued a ID badge so they can enter our limited access areas. Let me know if you have any questions.
Stuart Holmes
Election Supervisor
e-mail: Stuart.Holmes@co.benton.wa.us
County: Chelan
Address: 350 Orondo Avenue / PO Box 400
City: Wenatchee, WA
Zip: 98807-0400
Phone: 509-667-6808
Fax: 509-667-6818
Email: elections.ballots@co.chelan.wa.us
Notes:
As needed 5 at a time.
Contact office for more information.
County: Clallam
Address: 223 E 4th Street Suite #1
City: Port Angeles, WA
Zip: 98362-3026
Phone: 360-417-2221
Fax: 360-417-2517
Email: auditor@co.clallam.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Clark
Address: 1408 Franklin Street / PO Box 8815
City: Vancouver, WA
Zip: 98666-8815
Phone: 360-397-2345
Fax: 360-397-2394
Email: elections@clark.wa.gov
Notes: Classes are offered prior to signing up for position. The class will be in the evening and will last for approximately two hours. Persons taking this class will be eligible to serve as observers starting with the primary election. The observers will be selected to serve by the leaders of the two current major political parties.
Dates to be announced.
Ken Karraker, Clark County Election Coordinator
Contact office for more information.
County: Columbia
Address: 341 East Main Street, Suite 2
City: Dayton, WA
Zip: 99328-1361
Phone: 509-382-4541
Fax: 509-382-4830
Email: sharon_richter@co.columbia.wa.us
Notes: Positions open. Please call office for more information
County: Cowlitz
Address: 207 4th Avenue N. Rm 107
City: Kelso, WA
Zip: 98626-4130
Phone: 360-577-3005
Fax: 360-414-5552
Notes:
There is a scheduled observer training for July 8, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Cowlitz County Administration Building - Conference Room B
207 N 4th Ave, Kelso, WA
Contact office for more information
County: Douglas
Address: PO Box 456
City: Waterville, WA
Zip: 98858-0456
Phone: 509-745-8527 ext 207
Fax: 509-745-8812
Email: elections@co.douglas.wa.us
Notes: Training required. Please contact office to set up a class.
County: Ferry
Address: 350 E. Delaware Ave. #2
City: Republic, WA
Zip: 99166-9747
Phone: 509-775-5200
Fax: 509-775-5208
Email: elections@co.ferry.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Franklin
Address: 1016 N. 4th Avenue / PO Box 1451
City: Pasco, WA
Zip: 99301-1451
Phone: 509-545-3538
Fax: 509-543-2995
Email: dkillian@co.franklin.wa.us
Notes : Contact office for more information
County: Garfield
Address: PO Box 278
City: Pomeroy, WA
Zip: 99347-0278
Phone: 509-843-1411
Fax: 509-843-3941
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Grant
Address: PO Box 37
City: Ephrata, WA
Zip: 98823-0037
Phone: 509-754-2011 ext. 343
Fax: 509-754-6562
Email: elections@co.grant.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Grays Harbor
Address: 100 Broadway Avenue W., Suite 2
City: Montesano, WA
Zip: 98563-3614
Phone: 360-249-4232
Fax: 360-249-3330
Email: ghcelections@co.grays-harbor.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Island
Address: PO Box 1410
City: Coupeville, WA
Zip: 98239-1410
Phone: 360-679-7366
Fax: 360-240-5553
Email: elections@co.island.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Jefferson
Address: PO Box 563
City: Port Townsend, WA
Zip: 98368-0563
Phone: 360-385-9117
Fax: 360-385-9228
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: King
Address: 9010 E. Marginal Way
City: Tukwila, WA
Zip: 98108-4026
Phone: 206-296-1565 (local), 1-800-325-6165 (long-distance) – enter 6-1565 when prompted
Fax: 206-296-0108
Email: elections@kingcounty.gov
Notes:
One-time observer training session:
Tuesday, July 20, 1:30 - 3:30pm
KC Election HQ, 9010 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, WA
Map and directions are at www.kingcounty.gov/elections/aboutus/directions.aspx
René LeBeau - Program Manager of Ballot Processing and Delivery, King County Elections
206-296-4659
County: Kitsap
Address: 619 Division Street
City: Port Orchard, WA
Zip: 98366-4678
Phone: 360-337-7128
Fax: 360-337-4645
Email: auditor@co.kitsap.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Kittitas
Address: 205 W. 5th Street Suite 105
City: Ellensburg, WA
Zip: 98926-2891
Phone: 509-962-7503
Fax: 509-962-7687
Email: auditor@co.kittitas.wa.us
Notes: Openings available. Contact your local political party to sign up. Kittitas’s Election Board will provide training once you have been selected by your party. Observer Training will occur just prior to the ballots being returned. We have requested the parties to submit a list of those who plan on observing. Once we have a list compiled, we will contact those individuals with the scheduled date & time of the class.
County: Klickitat
Address: 205 S. Columbus Avenue Stop 2
City: Goldendale, WA
Zip: 98620-9280
Phone: 509-773-4001
Fax: 509-773-4244
Email: brendas@co.klickitat.wa.us
Notes: Openings available. Contact office for more information. Tentative training date is August 9th or 10th for the primary election and October 25th or 26th for the general election.
Training required.
County: Lewis
Address: 351 N.W. North Street / PO Box 29
City: Chehalis, WA
Zip: 98532-0029
Phone: 360-740-1278
Fax: 360-740-1421
Email: hlborts@co.lewis.wa.us
Notes: No training available. Contact office for more information about observing.
County: Lincoln
Address: 450 Logan / PO Box 28
City: Davenport, WA
Zip: 99122-0028
Phone: 509-725-4971
Fax: 509-725-0820
Email: sjohnston@co.lincoln.wa.us
Notes: Openings Available. Handbook training is used.
Contact office for more information.
County: Mason
Address: 411 N. 5th Street / PO Box 400
City: Shelton, WA
Zip: 98584-0400
Phone: 360-427-9670 ext.469
Fax: 360-427-1753
Email: AmberC@co.mason.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Okanogan
Address: 149 3rd Avenue N. Rm.104 / PO Box 1010
City: Okanogan, WA
Zip: 98840-1010
Phone: 509-422-7240
Fax: 509-422-7163
Email: lthomas@co.okanogan.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Pacific
Address: 300 Memorial Drive / PO Box 97
City: South Bend, WA
Zip: 98586-0097
Phone: 360-875-9317
Fax: 360-875-9333
Email: pgardner@co.pacific.wa.us
Notes: Openings available, call ahead for more information.
Show up at the office. They will give you a paper to read and if you have questions they will answer them.
County: Pend Oreille
Address: 625 W. 4th / PO Box 5015
City: Newport, WA
Zip: 99156-5015
Phone: 509-447-3185 and 509-447-6472
Fax: 509-447-2475
Email: elections@pendoreille.org
Notes: Call office for more information
County: Pierce
Address: 2501 S. 35th St. Suite C
City: Tacoma, WA
Zip: 98409-7484
Phone: 253-798-7430
Fax: 253-798-2761
Email: pcauditor@co.pierce.wa.us
Notes: Openings available. Training for observers will be held on two dates:
- Tuesday, June 15, 2010 from 9:00 - 11:00am
- Monday, June 21, 2010 from 2:00 - 4:00pm.
Observers are required to choose which party they wish to represent before coming to the training. The training is only two hours and you will be paid. Call ahead if you have questions.
Training required.
County: San Juan
Address: 55 2nd Street, Suite A / PO Box 638
City: Friday Harbor, WA
Zip: 98250-0638
Phone: 360-378-3357
Fax: 360-378-8856
Email: elections@co.san-juan.wa.us
Notes: Openings available. Observer training is usually conducted the hour before they begin processing the ballots.
Contact office from more information
County: Skagit
Address: PO Box 1306
Admin Building, Room 201
700 S. Second Street
City: Mount Vernon, WA
Zip: 98273-1306
Phone: 360-336-9305
Fax: 360-336-9429
Email: scelections@co.skagit.wa.us
Notes: Openings available. Contact office for more information. Mount Vernon does not schedule trainings regularly, but rather responds to requests as they arise. Please contact the office a few weeks ahead of the ballot count, so that they may coordinate a training schedule that works.
Training required.
County: Skamania
Address: PO Box 790
City: Stevenson, WA
Zip: 98648-0790
Phone: 509-427-3730
Fax: 509-427-3740
Email: elections@co.skamania.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Snohomish
Address: 3000 Rockefeller Avenue #505
City: Everett, WA
Zip: 98201-4060
Phone: 425-388-3444
Fax: 425-259-2777
Email: county.auditor@co.snohomish.wa.us
Notes:
In support of open, transparent and accessible elections, each year the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office offers observer training for the major political parties and the public. This training provides an overview of the elections process and an introduction to the basic rules of conduct we expect all observers to follow.
To ensure adequate opportunity for individuals to attend training prior to observing, we have scheduled two training times for 2010 – one prior to the 2010 Primary and one prior to the 2010 General Election. In order to have official observer status, an individual need only attend one session prior to observing. While attending observer training is not a requirement of observing any elections process, training participants are allow potentially freer access to observe processes.
In order to gauge interest and accommodate participants, I ask that you provide us with a list of potential attendees to Torie Waters at torie.waters@snoco.org. We have identified the following dates for our observer training:
Session 1
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
10:00am – 12:00pm
Session 2
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
10:00am – 12:00pm
Trainings will be held at:
Bethany Tabulation Center
1818 Pacific Avenue, Everett.
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact Torie at 425-388-3372.
Thank you for your continued support of the elections process.
County: Spokane
Address: 1033 West Gardner
City: Spokane, WA
Zip: 99260-0020
Phone: 509-477-2320
Fax: 509-477-6607
Email: elections@spokanecounty.org
Notes: Contact office for more information
Ruth Ryan is a local activist with a passion for election integrity. She is very knowledgeable about Election Observation and is willing to assist any citizens in Spokane County who want to get involved.
Please contact her at 509-448-9363
County: Stevens
Address: 215 South Oak Street Rm. 106
City: Colville, WA
Zip: 99114-2836
Phone: 509-684-7514 and 1-866-307-9060
Fax: 509-684-7568
Email: elections@co.stevens.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Thurston
Address: 2000 Lakeridge Drive S.W.
City: Olympia, WA
Zip: 98502-6090
Phone: 360-786-5408
Fax: 360-786-5223
Email: auditor@co.thurston.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Wahkiakum
Address: 64 Main Street / PO Box 543
City: Cathlamet, WA
Zip: 98612-0543
Phone: 360-795-3219
Fax: 360-795-0824
Email: tischerd@co.wahkiakum.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Walla Walla
Address: 315 W. Main / PO Box 1856
City: Walla Walla, WA
Zip: 99362-0356
Phone: 509-524-2530
Fax: 509-524-2552
Email: elections@co.walla-walla.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Whatcom
Address: 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103
City: Bellingham, WA
Zip: 98225-4038
Phone: 360-676-6742
Fax: 360-738-4556
Email: elections@co.whatcom.wa.us
Notes: Training is required. Contact office for more information
County: Whitman
Address: PO Box 350
City: Colfax, WA
Zip: 99111-0350
Phone: 509-397-6353
Fax: 509-397-6351
Email: elections@co.whitman.wa.us
Notes: Contact office for more information
County: Yakima
Address: 128 N. Second Street, Room 117
City: Yakima, WA
Zip: 98901-2639
Phone: 509-574-1340
Fax: 509-574-1341
Email: kathy.fisher@co.yakima.wa.us
Yakima: No training required. Contact office for more information
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