County Auditor’s Office updates 20,000 voter records 

In the first half of 2024, the Thurston County Auditor’s Elections Division made a significant effort to update over 20,000 voter records among the county’s nearly 200,000 registered voters. 

“Maintaining current voter rolls is the top priority for our voter registration team all year round,” stated Mary Hall, Thurston County Auditor, in a press release. “We work closely every day with our state and federal partners to ensure the accuracy of our voter records.” 

During this period, various updates were made to the voter registrations. Among the changes, 520 voter registrations were canceled upon voter request, while 1,379 registrations were canceled due to the death of the voter.  

Additionally, 3,185 voter registrations were moved to inactive status because of undeliverable mail. Inactive voters do not receive a ballot unless they contact the office and update their address. 

To maintain the accuracy of voter registration data, the Auditor’s Office collaborates with trusted sources, including the Office of the Secretary of State, the Social Security Administration, the United States Postal Service National Change of Address Program, and other state agencies such as Licensing, Health, Corrections, and the Office of the Administrator of the Courts.  

 Furthermore, the Auditor’s Office removes registrations of deceased persons using health department data, published obituaries, or written notices from relatives. 

 Washington State participates in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), which uses data-matching software to compare voter registration and motor vehicle licensing data across 30 other states. This process helps ensure that voters are not registered in multiple states. In 2023, the Auditor’s Office updated 1,747 voter records using ERIC data. 

“Our most critical partner in this effort is the voters themselves,” Hall emphasized. She advised voters to contact the Auditor’s Office if they receive a ballot for a deceased voter, a voter who has moved, or anyone not residing at their address.  

 Voters can also return such ballots through the USPS by writing “Deceased” or “Not at this address” and depositing it in the mail. “The postal service returns those ballots and other election mail to us, and we cancel or inactivate the voter according to state and federal law,” Hall explained.