MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Happy Friday, Washington Democrats!
Tuesday was National Voter Registration Day and we were proud to celebrate and amplify the message here at the WA State Democratic Party!
This day is all about making sure the issues you care about most are represented at the ballot box, because this November and in 2026, we’ll need every voice ready to challenge growing fascism and defend our democracy.
The good news? In Washington, registering to vote is easy, fun, and automatic. Register or update your voter registration today.
Did you know? As part of our *top in the nation* voting rights policy, Washington has Automatic Voter Registration. If you get a Washington state enhanced driver’s license or enhanced ID, election officials will automatically register you to vote or update your record.
And just in case, here are all the other ways you can make sure you’re registered and ready:
Online: Register online with your Washington driver’s license/ID, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number, at least eight days before Election Day.
By mail: Print and sign a registration form, then send it to your county elections office. They must receive it no later than eight days before Election Day.
In person: Visit any county elections office to register. You can even register in person up until 8 p.m. on Election Day!
To register, you’ll need your name, address, date of birth, signature, and to affirm your U.S. citizenship.
It only takes a few minutes to register, update your information, or remind a friend to do the same. It’s one of the simplest, most powerful ways to protect democracy. Click here to register or update your registration today »
An Important Message
I know many of us are still trying to make sense of last week’s deeply troubling act of political violence and its aftershocks.
I’ve found DNC Chair Ken Martin’s statement condemning political violence and calling for unity across the country to be particularly resonant:
In Ken’s Words:
“In this moment, we need leadership. We’ve reached a breaking point in this epidemic of political violence and Americans are asking for leadership, unity, and basic decency. In the past, in moments of national tragedy, we’ve turned to our president to calm the storms, to heal the divides, to bring us together as Americans, but if I can speak freely here, Donald Trump has done absolutely nothing to bring us together. Instead, he has used political violence for political gain, including having his Department of Justice threaten to criminalize speech and stifle opposition.
“We need to come together, denounce the violence happening in our country, and make clear what this moment calls for — courage and respect. Because, my friends, believing in America means understanding that, despite our fiercest of disagreements, none of us are enemies. We can be better. We must be better.”
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In the wake of the assassinations of Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump has done nothing to bring the country together, instead using these acts of political violence for political gain, threatening to stifle free speech. Chair Martin is urging every single political leader, Democrat and Republican, to loudly condemn this violence and work to bring Americans together, rather than let these acts of violence divide us.
In this moment we must stand together and care for ourselves and each other. It is up to all of us to build a safer, better tomorrow.
Leader Jeffries in Washington
We were proud to welcome House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to Washington last Friday!
Leader Jeffries joined Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair (and amazing WA State Leader) Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Governor Bob Ferguson, and many more terrific Washington elected officials for a wide range of inspiring events across the region.
His visit served as a strong reminder that the road to winning back the U.S. House (and helping elevate Leader Jeffries to Speaker Jeffries) runs directly through Washington State and we must do everything in our power to re-elect our eight Democratic incumbents.
This means tirelessly organizing day in and day out and leaving nothing up to chance. Thank you for standing with us in this critical work!
Call to Action
The 2025 General Election is less than two months away, and now is a great time to get involved!
If you haven’t already – please sign up as a WA Dems volunteer here!
- Rally, Protest, and Gather
- Friday, September 19th from 9:00am to 10:30am – Protest ICE Kidnappings of Our Neighbors – Tukwila.
- Sunday, September 21 from 8:30am to 11:30am – International Peace Day Action: 1000-Person “Peace” banner at Alki, West Seattle – We Love Teachers Rally and School Supply Drive in Spokane Valley. 4:30PM-5:30PM. Sign up here.
- Saturdays – Street Rally to Defend the Constitution – Kirkland
- Saturdays – Street Protest to Protect Due Process – Bellevue
- Saturdays – No Kings, No Oligarchs! U Village #TeslaTakedown
- Saturdays – STAND UP SPEAK OUT – Duvall
- Send us details on rallies and protests in your communities
- Email details to press@wa-democrats.org
- Donate
- If you would like to see less Washington D.C. and more Washington state in your community, please DONATE to The Real Washington Fund – our rapid response account to counter MAGA’s chaos with real organizing, real solutions, and real results. We can’t do the work of holding Republicans accountable without your support.
- Follow us on social media
Democrats Fighting Back
Washington Attorney General Supports Legal Challenge Against Trump’s National Guard Deployment
With a firm stance against the Trump deployment of National Guard troops by the administration, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has filed an amicus brief, rallying behind D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s legal challenge.
WA governor baffled by fed stance that could delay radioactive waste treatment
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson stood with Hanford workers, Tri-City leaders and tribal members Friday afternoon in Kennewick to say that if the Trump administration attempts to derail treatment of Hanford radioactive waste, there will be a legal challenge.
WA AG warns of ‘race-based policing’ after Supreme Court decision
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown warned of possible “race-based policing across this country” and a rollback of decades of civil rights progress following a U.S. Supreme Court decision this week that authorized federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles to consider race and ethnicity in determining who they stop and question.
MUST WATCH: “Are the victims credible or not?”
Heated exchange between Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and FBI Director Kash Patel on the Epstein victims.
DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS
Watchdog agency says Trump violated law for sixth time in withholding FEMA funds
The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office released a report Monday concluding the Federal Emergency Management Agency violated the law “when it withheld or delayed the obligation of” funding Congress approved for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and the Shelter and Services Program.
Democrat Wins Seat of Slain Minnesota Lawmaker; State House Evenly Split
Xp Lee, a former City Council member, won a special election to replace his political mentor, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated in June.
Insurance rates on WA health care exchange set to surge
During a visit to Washington state, Hakeem Jeffries, lead Democrat in the U.S. House, joined others warning of dire consequences if health insurance subsidies are allowed to expire.
Justice Mary Yu to step down from WA Supreme Court this year
Washington state Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu will retire from the bench at the end of this year.
MUST WATCH: The State Of Public Health In America
Sen. Patty Murray asked former CDC official Deb Houry how she found out about the updated COVID vaccine guidance.She found out by tweet. On social media.
WHAT I’M READING/WATCHING
It can be easy to feel discouraged in the current political environment, but I wanted to share some data that I find extremely inspiring. The DNC’s Blueprint published this report Wednesday on Democratic overperformance nationwide – and the numbers are staggering. Democrats have won or overperformed the top of the 2024 ticket in 43 out of 44 key elections so far this year.
That’s how we broke up a Republican supermajority in Iowa, held a narrow Democratic majority in the PA State House, and issued a biting referendum on Elon Musk’s chosen candidate for the WI Supreme Court – to name just a few. And it’s how we’re going to win countless races here in Washington in November and in 2026.
We’re building a path to Democratic victories at every level – let’s keep our eyes on the ball.
Thanks for all you do,
Chair Shasti Conrad
Washington State Democratic Party
In 2024, Washington Democrats led the nation with sweeping electoral victories. Now, we’re fighting to elect a supermajority in Olympia, protect our swing seats in the House, and stand up to MAGA extremism across the country.
WA Dems empowers grassroots organizing and elects Democrats up and down the ballot. Your support fuels our fight to stop Trump and defend our democracy.
We sincerely thank you for your help and support.
Washington State Democrats PO Box 4027 Seattle, WA 98194 United States