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Politics
The idea of politics for a lot of people is long speeches filled
with empty promises, sex scandals and big bureaucratic governments.
Politics can be all those things but it can also be a moving and
exciting experience when you feel empowered as a voter or an activist.
Your political views will develop as you transition into adulthood
and these beliefs are an important part of your identity.
Voter
registration
The first step into politics is getting registered to vote. You
must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 year-old and a Washington State
resident in order to be eligible to vote.
You must register
at least 30 days before an election to be able to vote in it. You
can register in person up to only 15 days before an election and
still vote, but you will have to vote absentee ballot (through the
mail instead of at a polling place in person).
Register to
vote online at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx.
It's free. You can also pick up a mail-in form at the King County
Records Office in downtown Seattle, at the City Clerk's office,
at public schools and libraries, and numerous fire stations.
Why
vote?
You may seem
like just one
fish in the sea but there is power in numbers. We need more young
adults like you to help convince policymakers and law makers how
important foster care issues are and how important it is to keep
providing independent living services. Each election, people are
put in charge to make decisions affecting aspects of your daily
life. You can help decide who that is.
Elected
Officials
There are elected officials for your neighborhood, the city, King
County, and the whole state of Washington. Each governing body addresses
issues specific to its jurisdiction. For more information on who
they are and how to reach them, you can call the Citizen Information
Service line at 206.329.4848 or visit www.seattle.wa.lwv.org.
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