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SEPTEMBER 17, 2025
VOL. 106, NO. 38
Op-Ed: Vote-at-Home Is the Law—And It Works
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s county auditors in Washington State, we serve in the executive branch of local government and are responsible for administering elections in accordance with state and federal
law. That includes elections for local, state, and federal offices. The U.S. Constitution grants states the authority to conduct federal elections, and Congress sets certain minimum standards. Here
in Washington, our Legislature has determined that vote-at-home is the official method of conducting elections—and that’s not just the law, it’s a system that works. Vote-at-home in Washington didn’t happen overnight. It evolved in direct response to growing voter demand. Years ago, when absentee voting required a specific reason, voters steadily requested more flexibility. Our Legislature responded—first by expanding absentee access, then by allowing counties to convert to vote-at-home elections where it made sense in the early 2000s. In 2011, Washington became one of the first states in the nation to adopt vote-at-home as the statewide standard—a move built on decades of experience, careful planning, and voter trust. Washington’s early and thought-
ful implementation of vote-at-home helped pave the way for other states. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states began using widespread mailed ballots for the first time. While some of those states are still refining their procedures, Washington’s policies, infrastructure, and checks and balances have been in place for years—offering a tested model for secure, accurate, and efficient election administration. Vote-at-home works because it reflects the way people live. Voters can take their time, read through ballot measures and voter pamphlets, and return their ballots from home—or in person—when it’s convenient for them. Ballots can be returned in person and into secure storage at the Pierce County Auditor’s Office, via 51 offi-
cial drop boxes located throughout the county, or through the United States Postal Service. In addition, voters can sign up at VoteWA.gov to receive text notifications tracking their ballot’s journey—from issuance to acceptance. It is well-documented that voter turnout is higher in vote-at-home states. Participation is easier and more deliberate, especially for those with demanding jobs, caregiving duties, limited mobility, or long travel distances to the nearest polling place. If Washington were to return to in-person-only voting, the very people who most benefit from expanded access would be the first to lose it. We often hear from voters who wish results could be finalized on
VOTE AT HOME, 3
Sasquatch Sighting in Seattle
Ryan Henry Ward and his beloved sasquatch are bringing smiles wherever they go
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PHOTO BY LAURA MARIE RIVERA
Henry began painting his iconic sasquatch murals almost a decade ago. He has painted them in a wide variety of places and scenarios, and is nearing completion of his 1,000 Sasquatch Heads project. to overwhelming demand. Along the way, the project has sparked joy, community connection, and plenty of stories—including a memorable mix-up that left one homeowner
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unexpectedly greeted by a giant cartoon mural. Luckily, they were fans of Henry’s work, turning a near mishap into a happy accident. “I try my best to not get the wrong house, but sometimes the muse of the sasquatch is a little wilder. I think I’m a vessel for that, for Sassy,” the universal name for his popular sasquatch characters. Henry’s art has become a cultural staple in Seattle, seen everywhere from Bloodworks Northwest to Pike Place Market, and from breweries to community centers. And his reach extends well beyond the region, with murals brightening ski resorts, National Parks, REI merchandise, Eddie Bauer
collaborations, live painting performances with Cirque du Soleil, and even being featured in a Super Bowl promotion. Some fans are already saying his sasquatch characters could reach the iconic status of Hello Kitty or Mickey Mouse here in Washington. The project is rolling out zip code by zip code across Seattle, and throughout the state. After last week’s murals in Queen Anne, Capitol Hill is next on the list. Henry’s plan is to stay focused until he hits the 1,000 mural milestone, with hopes of finding the perfect permanent home for the 1,000th sasquatch mural—ideally at a local school or nonprofit serving kids. To celebrate, he’s planning a community party at the Seattle Waterfront Marketplace (1400 Alaskan Way). Everyone is invited. Fans can follow the countdown on Instagram at @henry_beyond_museums, where Henry shares progress updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and sneak peeks of what’s next. “I have a lot of work ahead of me,” he said. “When that is done, I could imagine opening it up, going bigger and better.” For now, one thing is certain: the sasquatch sightings in Seattle aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Additional information at https://www.henry.art/
PHOTO BY JONATHAN BRICKLES
ueen Anne residents have reported more than a dozen sasquatch sightings in the past week—but these larger-than-life characters aren’t the stuff of legend. They’re the work of Ryan “Henry” Ward, Seattle’s most prolific muralist and the creative force behind one of the Pacific Northwest’s most ambitious public art projects: One Thousand Sasquatch Heads. With over 850 murals already complete, Laura Henry’s work Marie is transformRivera ing neighborhoods one garage door at a time, sparking joy and community connection through this expansive community-driven art movement. The idea sparked when Henry looked at a garage door and saw not a utility, but a blank canvas. “I feel like the garage door is already framed in and is a perfect surface for presentation for an art piece,” he said. “They sit like blank voids in front of everyone’s house, ready for color. My hope is that homeowners will continue to open their doors to artists—imagine if every garage in the city was painted by a local artist. We’d be creating jobs for thousands of artists and turning neighborhoods into open-air galleries.” What started as a goal to paint 1,000 sasquatch quickly surpassed that in response
Ward enjoys meeting neighbors and talking with the kids while he paints, often giving out stickers or merchandise for the enthusiastic fans of his work.