Latest News from the Auditor's Office

Snohomish County, Washington sent this bulletin at 07/15/2024 01:52 PM PDT

Auditor's Office

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New Elections Center Opens for Snohomish County

A group of elected officials and community partners stand behind a purple ribbon that says "grand opening."

Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell hosted local officials, community leaders, and the media at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the County's new Elections Center on July 9, 2024.The Elections Center houses all ballot processing operations for Snohomish County. The County designed the facility to efficiently meet production needs this Presidential election year and beyond; to improve security of ballots and staff; and to enhance observation opportunities for the public and transparency of the process.

The event included remarks from Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, Councilmember Sam Low, County Prosecutor Jason Cummings, and the President of the League of Women Voters.

"With this year's elections front and center, this new facility provides the space, security, and transparency we need to continue administering topnotch elections for Snohomish County voters, and it demonstrates our County's ongoing commitment to accurate, fair elections," said Snohomish County Auditor Garth Fell.

"On behalf of The League, I applaud our County Auditor, Executive, and Councilmembers for providing the leadership and funding necessary for this new Elections Center," said the current President of the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County Cathy Liu Scott. "We are thrilled that this new facility makes it even easier for voters to observe elections and see firsthand the many steps Snohomish County Elections takes to ensure every vote is counted."

You can read about the ribbon-cutting event in this article from The Herald, which includes quotes from our County Executive Dave Somers.

To schedule a tour or learn about opportunities to observe the elections process, email us at Elections@snoco.org or visit our website. 

 

 

Elections Explained at Your Local Libraries

Curious about the voting process and election security in Snohomish County? Get the answers to your questions straight from the experts! This fall, Snohomish County Elections, Sno-Isle Libraries, and the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County are partnering to host a series of Elections Explained events at public libraries throughout Snohomish County. These informational sessions, led by Auditor Garth Fell, will take place in September and October. See below for event dates, times, and locations.

Elections Explained

Sat. Sept. 7 | 12:00 PM at Monroe Library

 Wed. Oct. 9 | 6:00 PM at Lynnwood Library

Thurs. Sept. 12 | 6:00 PM at Everett Library

Sat. Oct. 12 | 12:00 PM at Granite Falls Library
Tues. Sept. 17 | 6:00 PM at Marysville Library

Tues. Oct. 15 | 6:00 PM at Mountlake Terrace Library

Sat. Sept. 21 | 12:00 PM at Stanwood Library

 

Audits and Other Safeguards Ensuring Accuracy and Integrity of Your Elections

Do you know the many steps Snohomish County Elections takes to maintain the highest standards of security, accuracy, and integrity in our elections?

During and after every election, trained staff complete accuracy tests and audits to verify that ballot processing equipment is operating correctly. Ballot counting equipment is never connected to the internet and access is strictly limited to authorized elections employees only. Snohomish County Elections takes many other steps to ensure you can have confidence in elections processes and results.

Anyone is welcome to observe the elections process - even the pre-election tests and post-election audits. For a list of upcoming observation opportunities, click here.

 Logic and Accuracy Test

For a good list of the benefits of observing elections firsthand, you can read this column from an elections official from a neighboring Washington State county.  For more information or to schedule a tour of Snohomish County's new Elections Center, email us at elections@snoco.org, or visit snoco.org/elections.

 

Keeping Your Dogs Cool Every Summer

Keep your pets safe in the heat


Even if it's just for a moment, even if you parked in the shade, and even if the windows are cracked—it is not safe to leave your dog in a parked vehicle. It takes only a few minutes for the temperature inside your car to become extremely dangerous for your dog. Please don't risk it—instead, leave pets at home on warm days. If you see an animal in a parked car on a sunny day, call 911. For more information about keeping pets safe, visit snoco.org/animalservices.

License Your Pets to be a Winner Every Year

Award your pet with a pet license!

Licensing your pet is affordable, quick, and easy! Most licenses cost as little as $15, and seniors aged 62 or older get an additional $5 off. The cost of your licensing fee helps us provide medical and shelter care for neglected, lost, and mistreated animals in your community. For more information about pet licensing discounts and to learn about the benefits and requirements of licensing your pet, visit our website.

 

Recording Document Revenues Support Local Needs

Colorful neighborhood clipart

When you record a document with the Recording Division of the Snohomish County Auditor's Office, a large portion of the fee you pay goes to supporting needs right here in our community. Programs supported by recording fees:

  • Prevent mortgage fraud,
  • Preserve historic documents,
  • Fund affordable housing projects,
  • Support low-income, first-time homebuyers,
  • Assist residents impacted by past discriminatory covenants, and
  • Protect victims of domestic violence.

For more info about recording documents in Snohomish County, visit snoco.org/recording.

 

License Plates Just for You

Specialty plates

Snohomish County residents have many options for meeting their license plate needs. For example, you can renew your vehicle license tabs online without the need to go into a licensing office. You can also sign up for License eXpress to receive email notifications when your tabs renewal fees are due. When specialty plates are available, you can also show support for causes that matter to you! Check out the list of specialty car plates available through the Washington State Department of Licensing. 

Part of the fees for these specialty plates go to help a variety of causes, including breast cancer awareness, speech therapy for kids, cancer programs for children, preservation of Washington’s lighthouses, education for farmers, animal welfare and more. For more information about licensing vehicles and vessels within Snohomish County, visit snoco.org/licensing.

 

Garth Fell

About the Snohomish County Auditor's Office

Through the dedicated work of 46 public employees, the nonpartisan Auditor's Office registers voters and conducts elections; issues pet and kennel licenses; responds to animal-related safety incidents; licenses cars, boats, and other vehicles; records property and other legal documents; issues marriage licenses; and performs many other customer-focused vital government services. The mission of Snohomish County Elections, a division of the Auditor's Office, is to conduct fair, accountable elections and encourage people to understand and participate in the voting process.

Elected Auditor Garth Fell has led the office in Washington's third largest county since 2020 and is a nationally certified elections administrator who has overseen nearly 100 elections over his 25-year career. Auditor Fell also serves as treasurer of the Washington State Association of County Auditors and as a member of the Washington State Recording Standards Commission.

For more information, including opportunities to observe ballot processing at our new Elections Center, visit our website at snoco.org/auditor; follow @snoco_auditor on Facebook, Instagram, and X; or email us at auditor@snoco.org. For our annual report, click here.