Secretary of State Steve Hobbs certified the results of the Nov. 8 general election on Dec. 7.
The final turnout statistics compiled by the Office of Secretary of State show more than 3.06 million active voters, or nearly 64% of the state’s electorate, cast their ballots in the election.
“The 2022 midterm election’s excellent turnout shows how strongly Washingtonians were engaged with the issues and races on the ballot,” Hobbs stated in a news release. “We thank the voters for their participation and we are grateful for their commitment to the foundation of our democracy.”
The November election marked some significant firsts in the state, Hobbs said.
It was the first presidential midterm after same-day registration was enacted in 2019. Over 17,000 in-person, same day registrations occurred on Nov. 8.
It was also the first election year under HB 1078, which restored voter eligibility for people who were previously convicted of felonies and not under total confinement. The bill was passed by the Legislature in 2021.
Overall, the 4.8 million voters who were eligible to participate in the general election is the highest number of registered voters on the rolls for any Washington midterm, stated the release.
“The 2022 general election owes its success to not only the voters, but county election officials and workers statewide who once again administered a secure and reliable election for all Washingtonians,” Hobbs stated. “While we are pleased with the voter turnout, we are continuing our efforts to expand voter outreach, strengthen election security, and fight election misinformation, which we believe will increase voter participation and confidence in future elections.”
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of areas within state government, which includes managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office also manages the State Archives and the State Library, documents stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.
