Advocate for Change

Join YWCA Spokane and advocate for policies that advance our mission and vision.

Working Together for Justice

We believe that by working together, we can create a community where all women and families have a safe and stable place to live, all women are economically self-sufficient, all children and youth develop the skills they need to succeed in life, and all people live with dignity, free from violence, racism, and discrimination.

Voting in Washington

Register to Vote

To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, resident of WA, and over the age of 18. Register to vote online here. To check your registration status and learn if you need to update your mailing address, you can visit Washington State’s Voter Portal.

For a detailed overview of all the conditions and requirements of voting in Washington state, watch the short video from the How to Vote in Every State series. If you reside in another state, you can explore How to Vote to Every State’s YouTube channel to learn specifics about your area.

Vote 411

Returning Your Ballot

Spokane County has a Vote-by-Mail process. Once you have marked your ballot, you have several choices in returning your ballot to the Spokane County Elections Office.

Mail
Ballots can be mailed without postage and must be postmarked by Election Day.

Drop Box
Located primarily at public libraries and the Spokane County Courthouse, ballot drop boxes are open until 8:00pm on Election Day.

Drop Box Locations

Voting Safely

Address Confidentiality Program

Survivors of Intimate Partner Domestic Violence may experience barriers to voting due to safety concerns.

In the state of Washington, The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) offers survivors a substitute address and public records protection.

By registering for ACP and voting as an ACP Protected Registered Voter (PRV), a survivor’s physical address will not appear in public records.

Use Your Voice

Your voice has power and can have an amazing impact in your community and across the nation.

Contact Your Legislators

Contact your local representatives and share your voice about important issues that impact you, your family, and the families served by your community.

Find your legislators

Report Hate Crimes

Report hate crimes and incidents through the Spokane County Human Rights Taskforce reporting tool.

Report Hate

Learn more about hate bias here.

Additional Information

Survivors of intimate partner domestic violence may face barriers to voting due to safety and confidentiality concerns. Voter information, including home addresses, is public record and accessible to the general public. However, survivors can register to vote while keeping their addresses confidential through the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) in Washington state.

The ACP provides survivors with a substitute address and public records protection, allowing them to participate in elections without compromising their confidentiality. To register for the ACP, survivors must meet with a certified application assistant, such as those at YWCA Spokane. Appointments can be made by calling the front desk at 509-326-1190.

Once approved for the ACP, participants will receive Protected Registered Voter registration paperwork and ACP-specific voting forms. It is important for ACP participants to avoid registering to vote online or at government offices, as this would make their address public. Instead, they must follow the ACP process and meet the same voting deadlines as the general public.

Survivors may need to register to vote in person with their local election office, depending on when they enroll in the ACP. Advocates at YWCA Spokane can assist survivors in navigating this process while also considering their safety and confidentiality concerns.

** Note: The Address Confidentiality Program cannot remove information already in public records. It is safest for a survivor to enroll after moving away from an address known to their abuser or already in public record. Advocates can assist with these concerns.**

We advocate for practical solutions that advance our intersectional mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.

We call on local, state, and national legislators and people in positions of power to act on the following priorities:

  • Racial and Social Justice
  • Economic Security and healthcare
  • Safety from Gender Based Violence
  • Voting Rights and Access.

Legislative Priorities

Since 1858, YWCA USA has been at the forefront of the biggest issues of the day. From voting rights to civil rights, affordable housing to pay equity, violence prevention to health care reform, we’ve been there along the way. We carry on this long tradition of social action and advocacy to advance our mission — and you are a crucial part of this work. Your voice is critical as we advocate for policies that bring us closer to eliminating racism, empowering women, and ensuring peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Learn more about the national YWCA USA advocacy agenda and legislative priorities.

YWCA Advocacy Agenda

 

YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. Join the movement for racial justice with YWCA and hundreds of thousands of people across the country in advancing justice — until justice just is.

Take the pledge

Blog

Nov 5, 2024 Nov 10 @ 8:15 pm

Mission Moment – Self-Care Summit

About the Summit Since 2022, YWCA Spokane has been offering youth in the community the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow at the Youth Self-Care Summit. This is a unique opportunity for young people to embrace self-love, connection, and personal…

Nov 5, 2024 Nov 10 @ 8:15 pm

Board of Directors – Bonnie Bush

Thank You Each of our wonderful Board of Directors is so passionate about our community and dedicates their time, talent, and resources towards the fulfillment of our mission. On behalf of our team, those we serve, and our community we…

Nov 4, 2024 Nov 10 @ 8:15 pm

2024 DVAM Recap

A Month of Awareness Throughout October, more than 40 banners were spread across downtown busy streets and key landmarks lit up purple in honor of survivors. Unquenchable Hope was proudly displayed as part of DVAM and National Arts & Humanity Month….

Events

Nov 1, 2024 Nov 1 - Dec 6

2024 Hope for the Holidays Event

Oct 2, 2024 Nov 12 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am

DV 101 Training: Recognize. Respond. Refer.

Join YWCA Spokane for this important free, virtual training on October 8th. Learn more about intimate partner domestic violence, how to help a friend, and about YWCA Spokane’s free and confidential services.

Oct 2, 2024 Nov 21 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

DV 201 Training: Learning in Action

Learn more about the unique barriers and challenges survivors navigate on a daily basis and talk through how you might help a survivor.