The Kitsap County Government website is a treasure trove of information about elections and voting. There is information about registering to vote, updating your signature, how votes
are counted, audits, and a whole lot more. We’ll be digging into several of these and providing links to the original information. Look around – the more you dig the more treasure you can find.
There are many short and a few longer videos. Watch a few – there’s a lot of interesting information.
The top level page that leads to many of the other pages we’ll talk about here:
https://www.kitsap.gov/auditor/Pages/elections.asp
Election Results
https://www.kitsap.gov/auditor/Documents/results.html
Here you can find information about the most recent election: turnout, number of received,
accepted, and challenged ballots.
Watching Ballot Processing
You can watch ballot processing as it happens via webcams. Or you can watch in person at 8900 Imperial Way SW, Bremerton, WA 98312.
Election Audits and Certification
https://www.kitsap.gov/auditor/Pages/Certification-and-data.aspx
There are four audits completed before an election is certified:
- Software verification (“Hash test”) makes sure the software hasn’t been altered from its federally certified version.
- Logic and Accuracy test is an audit of the tabulation system.
- The Random Batch Test takes a randomly selected batch of ballots and runs them through the tabulation system and then through a hand-count to make sure the results match.
- The final audit is a Risk Limiting audit which takes a random selection of all ballots cast and compares the physical ballots to the cast ballot record. [see 2:25 video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhAO3CuLPg8&t=107s]
Election certification is performed by the Kitsap County Canvassing Board. All meetings and tests are open to the public.
You can watch videos about the audits. See the links on the website:
https://www.kitsap.gov/auditor/Pages/elections.aspx
Track Your Ballot
You can track your own ballot to find out when your ballot was mailed to you, when it was received and whether or not it was accepted. You can also request a replacement voter packet. You can update your registration, find the elections calendar, and learn who your elected officials are. And you can subscribe to SMS ballot updates via texting and receive a text message telling you your ballot has been accepted. You can check your voter registration and look at your entire voting history.
Voter registration and ballot management portal:
https://voter.votewa.gov/portal2023/login.aspx
After signing in with your name and date of birth this page will give you information about your ballot for the current or upcoming election. You can find a list of your elected officials, see your voter guide, get a replacement ballot; and sign up to receive text messages when your ballot has been sent, received, accepted, or when further action is required. Texts come from the number 868392.
Your Voting Record
On the website you can also see your entire voting record- which elections you voted in (not how you voted – we do vote by secret ballot). On this page find “Your Voter Registration” right next to the “Home” button. When you click on that just scroll down to “Your Voting History”. It will show you the most recent elections you voted in and just below that you can select “Show more voting history”. When you click on that you will see a list of all the elections you have voted on in Kitsap County, going back to when you registered to vote.
Your Signature Matters
https://www.kitsap.gov/auditor/Pages/signatures.aspx
A ballot is only counted if the signatures match! “Signatures evolve, and we want to do all we can to ensure your ballot is counted.”
You can update your signature at with the form at:
https://www.kitsap.gov/auditor/Documents/SigUpdate.pdf.
This is a form on which you can provide up to three samples of your signature.
Return this form to:
Kitsap County
619 Division St, MS 31
Port Orchard, WA 98366
Or you can fill out a new voter registration form at any voter registration location/event.
For a printable registration form,
https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-registration/print-voter-registration-form.
Signature Verification is the “process for verifying that a signature on the ballot declaration is the same as the signature(s) in the voter registration record.” – WAC 434-261-051
Kitsap County follows Washington state’s review process:
Initial Review:
After sorting and preparing ballot envelopes or ballot envelope images for signature review, the
following processes must be followed: Initial reviews are conducted with the physical ballot and
matched to voter’s signatures on file. Reviews are conducted by trained personnel.
Secondary Review:
If a signature is not accepted following initial review, that signature must be referred to a second review. Second review must: Be conducted by different authorized reviewers. Document reviewers judgments/determinations of signature statuses. Prompt the sending of a signature cure form to the voter within three business days of receipt if challenged.
Additional Reviews:
A County Auditor may authorize additional reviews of ballot signatures.
There is additional information on the website about how signatures are analyzed, compared, and evaluated.
https://www.kitsap.gov/auditor/Pages/signatures.aspx
Signature Issue
If your ballot signature is determined not to match your voter registration signature you will receive a letter telling you how to correct this (“cure” your ballot). If you received a notice that your ballot had a signature verification issue visit VoteWa.gov to get the form you need, or contact the Kitsap Auditor’s office at auditor@kitsap.gov
Missing signature form:
Signature update form: