Press release issued 10.27.20
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-stay-safe-vote-safe-proclamation
Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation and guidance memo today clarifying application of COVID-19 requirements for voters and for voting service operations, including county elections offices, county voting centers and student engagement HUBs throughout the state.
"The right to vote is one of the cornerstones of our democracy," Inslee said. "Even in the middle of a pandemic, it's vital that everyone’s voices are heard. We are dedicated to ensuring that anyone can cast their ballot in a safe manner and we are protecting the crucial election personnel and volunteers that make this democratic process possible."
Stay Safe - Vote Safe (20-75):
This proclamation temporarily suspends any COVID-related orders that could be interpreted to restrict access to voting centers and student engagement HUBS by persons intending to register to vote, obtain a ballot, receive assistance with a ballot, deposit a ballot or use other voting-related services.
Elections personnel are essential workers, and elections offices are essential facilities. In addition, voting, whether by mail or in person, is an essential activity.
Under this proclamation, gathering restrictions do not apply to voters who are in attendance at a voting center for the purpose of registering to vote or to cast his or her vote. All elections personnel and voters should practice physical distancing and use face coverings, as recommended by the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
Individual voting and voting centers are protected under this proclamation, prohibiting any interpretations of "Stay Safe - Vote Safe" that would hinder access to and operations of voting facilities, access to in-person voter registration, ballot issuance and ballot deposit.
PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR
AMENDING AND EXTENDING
PROCLAMATION 20-05
20-75
Stay Safe – Vote Safe
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, I issued Proclamation 20-05, proclaiming a State of
Emergency for all counties throughout the state of Washington as a result of the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States and confirmed person-to-person
spread of COVID-19 in Washington State; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the continued worldwide spread of COVID-19, its significant
progression in Washington State, and the high risk it poses to our most vulnerable populations, I
have subsequently issued several amendatory proclamations, exercising my emergency powers
under RCW 43.06.220 by prohibiting certain activities and waiving and suspending specified
laws and regulations; and
WHEREAS, to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington State by limiting
person-to-person contact through social distancing and limiting in-person interactions. I issued
Proclamation 20-25, et seq., which during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic
prohibited all people in Washington State from leaving their homes except under certain
circumstances and limitations, and then transitioned to a phased, metrics-based reopening in
accordance with guidance issued by my office and by the Washington State Department of
Health; and
WHEREAS, to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic on the campuses and facilities
of colleges, universities, technical schools, apprenticeship and similar programs, I issued
Proclamation 20-12, et seq., which established guidance for remote and in-person learning and
residential housing at educational facilities; and
WHEREAS, the right to vote is fundamental to democracy; and
WHEREAS, under Washington’s safe, secure, and successful voting system, eligible
Washington residents may register to vote using either mail or the internet up to eight days
before an election, and also may register to vote, obtain a ballot, and/or drop off a completed
ballot in-person at county elections offices or voting centers and at student engagement HUBs
throughout the state (collectively “voting centers”) through 8:00 p.m. on an election day; and
WHEREAS, in order to access in-person registration and voting services for the upcoming
general election, Washington voters will be visiting voting centers throughout the state through
8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3, 2020, to register, receive a ballot, and vote; and
WHEREAS, voting centers have been enhancing their facilities and operations to provide for
safe, accessible services for those who choose to register to vote and/or return their ballot inperson, but many voting centers are located within buildings that are closed or have restricted
access due to restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Washington election officials are projecting up to 90 percent turnout for the
general election and are anticipating a significant increase of in-person registration and voting;
and
WHEREAS, to ensure that restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic on access to voting
center locations, on public meetings, or on any other activity affecting in-person voter
registration or voting do not deter Washingtonians from accessing and utilizing in-person voter
registration and voting services, it is necessary to issue clarification, conditions, and exceptions
to prohibitions potentially affecting such access and activities; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division,
through the State Emergency Operations Center, continues coordinating resources across state
government to address the impacts and long-term effects of the emergencies on Washington
State and its people.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the
above-noted situations, and under RCW 38.08, 38.52, and 43.06, do hereby proclaim that a
State of Emergency continues to exist in all counties of Washington State, that Proclamation
20-05 and all amendments remain in effect, and that the prohibitions in Proclamations 20-25,
et seq., 20-12, et seq., and any other proclamation affecting the right to utilize in person voter
registration and voting services are amended as follows: Under RCW 43.06.220(3), for the
period from October 27, 2020, through 11:59 p.m. on November 4, 2020, I suspend any
prohibition imposed by proclamation or by a government entity under my authority that
restricts access to voting centers and student engagement HUBS by persons intending to
register to vote, obtain a ballot, receive assistance with a ballot, deposit a ballot, or use other
voting-related services, and that restricts access to voting centers and student engagement
HUBS or election facilities by election officials. All voting centers, student engagement
HUBS, and persons engaged in voting activities should practice physical distancing
requirements (six-feet between persons) and use personal protective equipment, including
facial coverings, as recommending by the Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
I again direct that the plans and procedures of the Washington State Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan be implemented throughout state government. State agencies
and departments are directed to continue utilizing state resources and doing everything
reasonably possible to support implementation of the Washington State Comprehensive
Emergency Management Plan and to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to
respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires.
I continue to order into active state service the organized militia of Washington State to include
the National Guard and the State Guard, or such part thereof as may be necessary in the opinion
of The Adjutant General to address the circumstances described above, to perform such duties
as directed by competent authority of the Washington State Military Department in addressing
the outbreak. Additionally, I continue to direct the Department of Health, the Washington State
Military Department Emergency Management Division, and other agencies to identify and
provide appropriate personnel for conducting necessary and ongoing incident related assessments.
Violators of this order may be subject to criminal penalties pursuant to RCW 43.06.220(5).
Related press release...
Secretary of State’s Office reminds voters to return their ballots.
OLYMPIA — With seven days to go until the Nov. 3 General Election, the Office of the Secretary of State is reminding voters to return their ballots as soon as possible.
Voters are encouraged to return their ballots by placing them in any of the nearly 500 ballot drop boxes statewide. Drop-box locations can be found by logging in to VoteWA.gov, as well as on the Secretary of State’s Office website.
Ballots may also be returned by U.S. mail – no postage required – but must be postmarked by Nov. 3 to qualify for the election. The U.S. Postal Service recommends voters return their ballots at least a week before Election Day. Voters can track their ballots and check their ballot status on VoteWA.gov.
“We encourage voters to cast their ballots as soon as possible – whether by drop box or U.S. mail – to ensure their votes count and their voices are heard,” said Assistant Secretary of State Mark Neary. “Voters who have not received a ballot should contact a county elections office right away to ensure their registration is up to date. For people who haven’t registered to vote but would like to participate in the General Election, there’s still time.”
Though Oct. 26 was the last day for online and mailed registrations or updates to be received, people can visit a county elections office to register in person. The deadline to register in person and receive a ballot in time to participate in the General Election is 8 p.m. on Election Day.
More election information, including important dates and deadlines, an online voter guide, and election data and statistics, is available at sos.wa.gov.
Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees a number of areas within state government, including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office also manages the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, oversees the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees, and administers the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime.
Inslee announces Western states workgroup to ensure safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines
Press release issued 10. 27. 20
In case you missed it: Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that Washington is joining other western states to review the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines when approved by the FDA. This is an added layer of independent expert review that will help build confidence in the vaccine.
This panel of experts, begun by California Gov. Newsom last week, will expand with representatives from Washington, Oregon and Nevada. The group will include experts appointed by all member states, and nationally-recognized scientists with expertise in immunization and public health.
"The FDA has made public information about the data required for authorizing a vaccine. That, combined with two independent federal groups, and our own Western States review process, should give the public pretty high confidence on the safety and efficacy of a COVID-19 vaccine," Inslee said. "When a safe vaccine is available, Washington state is going to be ready to distribute it in a way that is equitable, efficient, and most importantly, safe."
Related press release from DOH dated 10.21.20
Washington’s ‘Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Plan’ submitted to CDC.
Washington’s ‘Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Plan’ submitted to CDC
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health submitted its interim vaccination plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by the stated deadline of October 16, 2020.
This plan is Washington state’s response to the request from the CDC for state and territorial health departments to answer questions and outline their preliminary plans for vaccine distribution. It describes how the department will approach the work of planning for and distributing an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine once available. It also describes how crucial lessons learned from the H1N1 pandemic vaccine distribution in 2009 informed our COVID-19 vaccine plan.
“We want to emphasize that this is the first version of our plan,” said Michele Roberts, Acting Assistant Secretary with executive oversight for COVID-19 vaccines. “This is essentially a living document. But the one thing that won’t change is our focus on equitable distribution of the vaccine as a priority. As we learn more about the vaccine, and as we learn more specifically from communities and partners most impacted by COVID-19, this plan will evolve.”
Overall, Washington state is well positioned to receive, handle, distribute, and administer COVID-19 vaccine once an FDA-approved safe and effective vaccine is available. DOH has started its planning through intentional engagement and collaboration with other, state agencies, local government, health care providers, neighboring states, and community partners. In compliance with the government-to-government process, the department will follow its consultation and collaboration procedure for engaging with tribal nations.
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Free job training, financial assistance for workers laid off from Safran Cabin Materials.
OLYMPIA – Laid-off Safran Cabin Materials workers may be eligible for free training for a new occupation, financial assistance and more under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
The U.S. Department of Labor approved these benefits for Safran Cabin Materials workers who lost their jobs due to a lack of work after July 1, 2019. Workers may receive vocational training, additional unemployment benefits, relocation expenses, reimbursement for an out-of-area job search and the federal Health Coverage Tax Credit. Affected workers aged 50 and older may receive a subsidy that covers the difference in wages earned at the time of separation and those earned in re-employment.
Learn more about specific training programs available for impacted workers on the Employment Security Department’s website. You can also contact your local WorkSource center and speak to a Trade Act counselor regarding eligibility. Most WorkSource offices are closed statewide due to the pandemic, but virtual and phone services are still available.
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