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Another Accurate Election Administered for Snohomish County
Snohomish County Elections, a division of the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office, successfully administered another large election with the accuracy, security, and transparency that our residents expect. The November 5 General Election ballot included contests ranging from U.S. President to State Representative to local ballot measures.
This General Election our hardworking, highly trained elections staff processed more than 425,000 ballots, which constitutes a turnout rate of approximately 80% of registered voters in Snohomish County. Work included checking each signature on every returned ballot envelope, inspecting each ballot for voter corrections, auditing our election equipment and results, and accounting for and reporting on election activities. You can view Snohomish County results online. Statewide results are available on the Washington Secretary of State's website.
While the presidential election gets a lot of attention, our highly trained staff works throughout the entire year preparing, processing, and auditing for an election, because we administer at least four elections each year: February (Special Election), April (Special), August (Primary), and November (General).
In the Summer and Fall editions of our newsletter, we celebrated the opening of the new Snohomish County Elections Center to support this and future year’s elections. As noted by a recent Daily Herald newspaper article, the new Elections Center “stood up to the test of its first presidential election” with the facility’s “increased security and transparency.” This 17,000 square foot facility will continue to ensure we can deliver top-quality elections for Snohomish County voters.
If you haven’t been able to visit us at our Everett facility to observe how we conduct accountable elections for Snohomish County, check out the short video of our Elections Center. To schedule a tour or to observe our election audits at the Elections Center, email us at elections@snoco.org or visit our website.
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Elections Workers Honored by County Council
In recognition of the many public servants on "the frontline of democracy,” the Snohomish County Council unanimously adopted Resolution 24-044 on October 2 “to celebrate the commitment and dedication of our county election workers to conduct fair, accurate elections.”
The Auditor’s Office appreciates the ongoing support of both the County Council and the County Executive as we work hard to administer elections and provide other vital services to Snohomish County residents.
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Secure Safety for Your Pet with Annual Pet License
The results are in - Snohomish County pet owners have big hearts and love their pets! When we asked you in a recent survey for the best way to obtain or renew a pet license, 90% of respondents selected through our online portal. In response, we have updated our pet licensing webpage to make it easier to keep your pets safe by obtaining your annual pet license.
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We also heard many people think they don’t need a pet license if their pet has a microchip. Because you are required to renew your pet license every year, pet license information is typically more up-to-date than microchip information, allowing you and your pet to be safely and quickly reunited if your pet becomes lost.
To learn more or to make sure your pets are properly licensed, visit snoco.org/animalservices.
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Benefits for Your Pet
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Pet License
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Microchip
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Anyone finding your pet can quickly call you to return your pet
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YES
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Annual reminders to keep your contact info current
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YES
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It’s easy to update your address when you move
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YES
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Your information is secured by your local county
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YES
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If an animal control officer picks up your lost pet, they will bring them home, saving your pet further trauma and you shelter fees
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YES
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Licensing fees support animal care and local cruelty investigations
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YES
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Animal Bequest Fund Delivers Hope
As a new year approaches and the Auditor’s Office reflects on 2024, we thank those that have generously contributed to the Animal Benefit Bequest Fund, established to benefit animals in need.
The Animal Benefit Bequest Fund supports life-sustaining programs, activities, equipment, and facilities for vulnerable dogs, cats, and other furry friends throughout Snohomish County. Funds are used for needs outside the normal response of our Animal Services Division and its program. Funds are not used for long-term chronic care or where there are more appropriate mechanisms or funds in place. For example, funds have been used to temporarily board and care for a pet when a county resident without a support system was suddenly hospitalized. Funds can also provide one-time allotments of feed for horses while the owner works to improve the condition of the animals.
Anyone – individuals, businesses, and groups – can donate to our Animal Bequest Fund. Donations can be made with checks payable to the “Snohomish County Animal Benefit Bequest Fund” and mailed or delivered to the Animal Services Division of the Auditor’s Office at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 306, Everett, WA 98201. Donations can also be made through our pet license application (PDF) or by adding an amount to the “Donation” box when obtaining or renewing a pet license through our online portal.
To learn more about our Animal Bequest Fund, you can visit our website.
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Obtaining Your Marriage Documents
Are you or your loved ones planning to marry soon? Congratulations! Obtain a marriage license at least three days before your wedding date. You can start the process of applying for your marriage license online.
While you can fill out the application online, you must either complete the process in person at our office or print the completed application form, have it notarized, and mail it to our office along with a $70 check, cashier’s check or money order made payable to “Snohomish County Auditor."
Snohomish County Recording
3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 204
Everett, WA 98201
A portion of the fees collected for every marriage license help to fund legal protection services for victims of child abuse and neglect and Washington’s Family Courts.
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Tips for Buying and Selling Vehicles
Buying or selling a vehicle can be an intimidating process. From understanding which questions to ask about the history of a vehicle to whether you should have a mechanic look at the car first, there is a lot to consider. Check out the Washington State Department of Licensing's tips for buying a vehicle.
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And when you are ready to complete the purchase or sale, Snohomish County Licensing or one of our 16 Snohomish County vehicle and vessel licensing subagents will be ready to help.
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.
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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 snoco.org/auditor; follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X; or email us at auditor@snoco.org. You can view our annual reports and learn more about the Auditor's Office here.
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