Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Ballotpedia

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Believes voting rights are endangered by "extreme legislation" that restricts mail-in voting and supports same-day, in-person voting with photo ID, which opposes the majority of Washington voters and would disenfranchise marginalized communities.

Supports online voter registration using the last four digits of a Social Security number to reduce barriers for eligible voters without a driver's license.

Supports allowing online voter registration using the last four digits of a Social Security number.

Supports translating voter guides and election information into more languages than currently required by federal law.

Wants to translate voter guides and election information into more languages than currently required by federal law.

Supports upgrading election security defenses to prevent digital attacks.

- Opposes restrictions to mail-in voting. 
- Supports allowing online voter registration using the last four digits of a Social Security number.
- Wants to translate voter guides and election information into more languages than currently required by federal law.
- Supports upgrading election security defenses to prevent digital attacks.

Voting & Elections

Plans to expand resources that encourage partnerships between the community and government in order to promote business.

- Plans to expand resources that encourage partnerships between the community and government in order to promote business.

Businesses

Pledges to modernize government institutions, particularly libraries.

- Pledges to modernize government institutions, particularly libraries.

Administration

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Steve Hobbs

Ballotpedia, Dale Whitaker (Washington)

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Washington State Standard, Four highlights from the Washington secretary of state debate

Supports a voting process that is accessible, transparent, safe, and secure, and ensures every voter's confidence in the significance of their vote.

Advocates for a voting process that is accessible and safe.

Wants to make the electoral process more transparent to increase public oversight and confidence.

Proposed that Washington verify its voter data with citizenship information from the Social Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and federal immigration services to ensure that there are no "ineligible voters."

Proposes that Washington verify voter data with citizenship information to ensure that there are no "ineligible voters."

Said, “I think we have to give voters as many options as possible so they can show up and vote in a way that makes sense to them. Anything less than that is disenfranchisement.”

- Advocates for a voting process that is accessible and safe.
- Wants to make the electoral process more transparent to increase public oversight and confidence.
- Proposes that Washington verify voter data with citizenship information to ensure that there are no "ineligible voters."
- Said, “I think we have to give voters as many options as possible so they can show up and vote in a way that makes sense to them. Anything less than that is disenfranchisement.”

Believes small businesses are crucial to Washington State's prosperity and plans to lower business costs and financial burdens.

Believes small businesses are crucial to prosperity and plans to lower business costs and financial burdens.

Supports collaborating with local communities to address their specific needs and challenges.

Plans to work with local communities to address their specific needs and challenges.

Plans to waive all business annual renewal fees in 2025 to save businesses across Washington State tens of millions of dollars.

Wants to waive all business annual renewal fees in 2025.

Said, "Consumers are the lifeblood of any local economy. They keep communities thriving and businesses profitable. We need to keep advocating for their needs, so Washington State prospers through each election cycle."

Said, "Consumers are the lifeblood of any local economy. They keep communities thriving and businesses profitable. We need to keep advocating for their needs."

- Believes small businesses are crucial to prosperity and plans to lower business costs and financial burdens.
- Plans to work with local communities to address their specific needs and challenges.
- Wants to waive all business annual renewal fees in 2025.
- Said, "Consumers are the lifeblood of any local economy. They keep communities thriving and businesses profitable. We need to keep advocating for their needs."

Supports implementing advanced technologies and protocols to safeguard businesses from fraud and interference.

Supports implementing advanced technologies and protocols to protect from fraud and interference.

- Supports implementing advanced technologies and protocols to protect from fraud and interference.

Dale Whitaker

- The secretary of state supervises state and local elections, certifies results, and manages voter pamphlets.
-T he secretary of state files and verifies state referendums and initiatives.
- The secretary of state registers corporations, trademarks, and charitable organizations. They also collect, preserve, and provide access to state historical records.
- The secretary of state administers a program for survivors of domestic violence and stalking.
- The secretary of state represents Washington in international trade and cultural events, and meets with visiting dignitaries.
- They are elected to a 4-year term, with no term limits. The salary for this position is $134,640.

The state's chief elections officer, chief corporations officer, and supervisor of the State Archives.