2018 Elections Alert: Important Dates and Resources to Know

When abusive rightwing nutjob Alex Jones tweeted that Democrats were planning to launch a Civil War on July 4th, Progressives hit back with the hilarious #secondcivilwarletters hashtag on Twitter. Some took the opportunity to remind us that the revolution is ACTUALLY happening Tuesday, November 6 at the ballot box. That is the day of the general election, but there are many other dates to know and things to prepare before then.

This upcoming 2018 elections could not be more important. If progressives do not take back Congress, Trump’s erosion of our freedoms, the environment, and foreign relations will continue unchecked. To the extent that we can, we should be supporting progressive candidates around the state. In November, we’ll be selecting them for US Senate, US House of Representatives, and WA State Legislature seats.

Obviously, we can only vote in our own districts, but we can get the word out. First of all, we need to all be registered to vote.

TurboVote For All

We imagine that most everyone in Divaland is registered, but you may know others who are not. You may also have friends abroad who should cast absentee ballots, but don’t know how. Refer these friends to TurboVote.org. It has a clean, simple interface that makes getting absentee ballots easy. It can also assist with registration stateside, especially in those states that have complicated or outdated online systems.

The WA State one is not bad. Click here for it. All you’ll need is a state ID or driver’s license. This article is being published July 9, 2018, the last day to register by mail or online for the WA State Primaries. You can still register in-person until July 30.

About overseas ballots: It’s important to be proactive about this for those who will be away or living abroad during the voting period in October and November. These ballots are mailed in late September, so it’s best to get things in order before then.

2018 Elections: The Key Dates for Voters to Know

Primary Registration and Voting dates

Friday, July 20, 2018: Voters registered in WA State will be receiving ballots when the 18-day voting period begins July 20.

Monday, July 30, 2018: Again, this is the last day for in-person registration for the primary.

Tuesday, August 7: The Primary. This is also the last date to file a resolution for the general elections. The only King County ballot measure is Prop 1, which replaces an expiring tax levy that funds fingerprint ID system services. Funds may also be used to research and launch other, more accurate technology to help criminal investigators. (We’ll be voting yes.)

General Election Registration and Voting Dates

Monday, October 8, 2018: Last day for online and mail registrations.

Friday, October 19, 2018: 18-day voting period begins.

Monday, October 29, 2018: Last day for in-person registration.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018: ELECTION DAY.

Get Informed, Stay Energized, VOTE

We have been seeing absolutely nauseating candidates getting on ballots around the country. The white supremacists and Nazis (literal and avowed) are crawling out from under their rocks. As always, we’re keeping in touch with political contacts around the state. We’ll be sharing what we know in upcoming voter’s guides, including one this week.

If you feel down about the state of the country (and everyone with half a heart does), this is a chance to push back hard. If Republicans lose control of Congress, Trump won’t just be better kept in check. He’ll be more vulnerable to potential impeachment. That may seem like an impossible dream, but at the very least we are counting down the days to the end of his term. (926 days left as of today, according to Seattle’s own Trump Countdown House.)