National Voter Registration Day Sept. 17: WAGAP events in Bingen, Goldendale, Stevenson

“My motivation for this event is to better educate community members and increase the number of registered voters in our counties,” said Cristian Olivares, co-director of the civic engagement program at WAGAP.

During the events, community members can register to vote, update their voter records, check voter status, and find upcoming election information throughout the day. The events are nonpartisan, and anyone can stop by for information. Spanish translation will be available.

Three WAGAP sites will be open for Voter Registration on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

• Bingen Main Office, 115 West Steuben St.

• Goldendale Housing Office, 150 West Main St.

• Stevenson Office, 683 Rock Creek Drive

Olivares has several goals for the activities. He is developing the civic engagement program and would like WAGAP to become a resource for the community. He hopes that by offering support, his team will empower people through access to voter information. He also wants to get youth involved to learn how they can prepare in advance to be registered voters when they qualify at age 18.

According to Olivares, this is closely related to WAGAP’s mission: Strengthening community by inspiring hope and helping people help themselves. The organization helps to address the root causes of poverty. He explained that having more people vote in an informed way allows communities to make better decisions by selecting their elected officials and giving input for suggested ordinances and laws.

According to the Washington State Secretary of State website, to register to vote in Washington, a person must be a citizen of the United States; a resident of Washington state; at least 18 years old — if you are 16-17, you can sign up as a Future Voter and be automatically registered to vote when you qualify; not disqualified from voting due to a court order; not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for a Washington felony conviction; and not currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction.

Secure online registration is available at VoteWA.gov, where voters can check their current registration status. Voters can also mail in a paper form or go to their local county elections office in person. The Washington Secretary of State website, www.sos.wa.gov/elections/elections-calendar/dates-and-deadlines, shares that to be eligible to vote in the general election on Nov. 5, online and mail registrations must be received by Oct. 28, eight days before election day. A person can register to vote in person during business hours and any time before 8 p.m. on election day.

Getting the word out and engaging community members through in-person events like these also helps Olivares and his team to reach underrepresented groups to ensure everyone has an opportunity to use their voice and make their informed vote. Olivares says each election at local, state, or national levels can impact a community, highlighting how important it is for people to participate.

He said encouraging an environment of equity is one of his favorite aspects of a voter registration event, adding, “Together, we can make our voices heard and create change for a better community and future generations.”

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Una versión en español de esta historia está en línea en www.columbiagorgenews.com/enespanol.