During a recent government meeting, Mayor Joe DiPano proclaimed September 17, 2024, as National Voter Registration Day in Elm City, emphasizing the importance of voter registration in strengthening democracy. The proclamation aims to raise awareness and encourage eligible citizens to participate in upcoming elections.

Tilly Poehler, the elections manager from the Thurston County Elections Office, highlighted significant achievements in voter registration, noting that the county has surpassed 200,000 registered voters. She emphasized the ease of the registration process, which now includes options for online registration and same-day registration on election day, allowing individuals to register and vote on November 5, 2024.

Poehler also announced the opening of a new voter registration facility, which is expected to accommodate around 2,000 voters on election day. She encouraged residents to utilize the online registration platform, requiring only basic identification information.

The meeting included discussions about the voting process, including the use of a certified tabulation system for counting ballots. Poehler clarified that Thurston County does not use the controversial Dominion voting systems, which are only employed in one county in Washington State.

Council members raised questions about the registration process for new residents and the importance of every vote, especially highlighted by a recent recount that demonstrated the narrow margins in elections. Poehler reassured attendees that the county's voter registration system is designed to prevent duplicate registrations and ensure that each voter can only cast one ballot.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to facilitating voter participation and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process as the nation approaches the 2024 elections.