Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

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Steve is married and has 3 children. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and master's of public administration from the University of Washington.

Steve is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Washington Army National Guard.

Steve Hobbs is the secretary of state of Washington. He was appointed in 2021 and is serving his 1st term. He was previously the state senator for District 44 in Washington, serving 4 terms from 2007 to 2021. 

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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

Steve Hobbs is currently the secretary of state for Washington. He was appointed in 2021 and is serving his 1st term. He was previously the state senator for District 44 in Washington, serving 4 terms from 2007 to 2021. 

Supports providing text message updates to voters about their ballot status to ensure peace of mind and allow for timely notification to cure rejected ballots.

Believes in improving government transparency by providing expanded online resources and financial information through the Voter Guide.

Believes advisory votes waste public money, ballot space, and voters’ time, saying they are "unnecessary and unenforceable."

Believes the fee structure for filing ballot measures should be updated to reflect current expenses, saying, "keeping the fee artificially low has problematic ripple effects."

Supports increasing the petitioning threshold to 25% of eligible taxpayers and expanding voting eligibility for library closure measures.

Believes the state should not subsidize businesses to keep costs low.

Believes no one should fear for their health when working a job that sustains democracy.

Supports Hobbs' candidacy for Secretary of State.

Believes in supporting small businesses and reducing regulations to foster economic growth.

Believes in centrist policies that facilitate moving legislation through Olympia.

Believes in hard work, education, and public service, values instilled by his Japanese immigrant father.

Is married to Pam and they have three sons.

Is only the second Washington Secretary of State born in Washington, the first being longtime Secretary Ralph Munro.

Believes in strong military support and has over 30 years of uniformed service.

Opposes censorship of literary materials at public libraries.

As a National Guard officer, commanded more than 750 members in Task Force Olympic, a Western Washington response mission to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plans to modernize the Office of the Secretary of State's operations and resources by collaborating with archivists and librarians to enhance the sharing of Washington's history and heritage.

As of October 8, 2024, Steve Hobbs’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Steve Hobbs is currently serving as the Secretary of State for Washington. He previously served as a state senator and is a lieutenant colonel in the Washington Army National Guard.

- 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.