Make sure you exercise your right to vote

I have visited almost every community in our 13th District, from Easton to Royal, Wilbur to Mattawa. The 13th District is a great place, but we can work on increasing the number of registered voters.

Grant County has roughly 57,000 eligible voters, but only about 41,000 registered voters. We should cherish our right to vote. But many willingly forfeit their vote.

Research has found that only 20 percent of Americans have ever been asked to register. Here we can help.

Shopping? At church? At games? Try this greeting: Have you registered to vote?

You can help people register on your phone or their phone at www.sos.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx.

Not sure if they’re registered? Go to weiapplets.sos.wa.gov/myvote.

Recently moved to Grant County? They need to re-register to change their address.

Convicted of a felony? If they’re no longer under the Department of Corrections’ authority, their right to vote has been restored, but they need to re-register. If they were incarcerated in other states but not incarcerated here, they need to register to vote in Washington. People do not lose the right to vote for a misdemeanor conviction or a conviction in juvenile court.

To vote in the primary election Aug. 7, register by July 9 online or July 30 in person at the courthouse. To vote in the general election Nov. 6, register by Oct. 8 online or Oct. 29 in person at the county courthouse.

Helping others register to vote is a simple patriotic act that we can all do. Our democracy depends on it.

Sylvia Hammond

Ephrata