Washington's electoral system boosting firewalls, bringing in cyber security to prevent hacks

Washington's electoral system boosting firewalls, bringing in cyber security to prevent hacks

SEATTLE -- In the wake of federal indictments accusing 12 Russian agents of meddling in the 2016 election, efforts are underway to strengthen the electoral system in Washington state.U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein also said Friday the  Russian spies stole U.S. voter information of 500,000 Americans -- all in Illinois.Here in Washington, the process of strengthening the electoral system is underway.Secretary of State Kim Wyman says cyber experts with the National Guard will be coming in to help.

Monday is deadline to register to vote for Washington's Aug. 7 primary election

Monday is deadline to register to vote for Washington's Aug. 7 primary election

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Monday is the deadline to register to vote online or by mail for Washington's top-two  primary election on Aug. 7 that will determine which two candidates face each other in the Nov. 6 general election.Primary voters will decide the top two candidates who will face each other in the Nov. 6 general election for one U.S. Senate seat, all of the state's 10 U.S. House seats, 25 of 49 state Senate seats and all 98 of the state House seats.

11-term Rep. Adam Smith on facing progressive newcomer in August primary

11-term Rep. Adam Smith on facing progressive newcomer in August primary

SEATTLE -- Washington's primary election is one month away and the Congressional District 9 race is heating up.Progressive newcomer Sarah Smith is taking on 11-term incumbent Adam Smith to represent the district.Q13 News Correspondent Simone Del Rosario sat down with Sarah Smith at the end of June."I think when you do something for 22 years, no matter what it's going to change your perspective and a lot of these old-guard Democrat guys, they don't know what it's like...to be working class in post-recession America," Sarah Smith said. "Right now, millennials and young people are the largest voting demographic in the nation, we're the largest workforce and we have the fewest voices in Congress."On the heels of a 10-term Democratic incumbent, Joe Crowley, losing to another progressive newcomer, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Del Rosario sat down with Rep.

State Supreme Court rejects attempt to keep gun measure off November ballot

State Supreme Court rejects attempt to keep gun measure off November ballot

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A Washington Supreme Court commissioner has rejected an attempt by gun-rights supporters to keep a gun initiative off the November ballot.Backers of Initiative 1639 say they've gathered enough signatures to put the measure to voters and plan to turn those signatures in Friday.The Seattle Times reports that I-1639 would make several changes, including raising the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles to 21 and requiring enhanced background checks, training and waiting periods in order to obtain them.Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation and other parties on Friday sought to invalidate the signatures, contending changes in law weren't clearly marked on the petition.On Tuesday, Supreme Court Commissioner Michael Johnston dismissed the filing.The campaign for I-1639, backed by the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, has raised $3 million with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen contributing $1.2 million.

Carbon fee initiative likely to go before Washington voters in November

Carbon fee initiative likely to go before Washington voters in November

SEATTLE -- In Olympia, it was cheers and applause as a broad coalition of community, labor and environmental groups delivered more than 375,000 signature they say they gathered in 12 weeks to put I-1631 on the November ballot.“People are tired of waiting, waiting for the federal government, waiting for the state government so I think it’s great we can take it right to the people,” said Becky Kelley, president of the Washington Environmental Council.Campaign manager Abigail Doerr says Initiative 1631 will charge a fee to corporations for pollution.“A normal person shouldn’t have to understand this.

Could progressive newcomer Sarah Smith upset 11-term incumbent in Washington primary?

Could progressive newcomer Sarah Smith upset 11-term incumbent in Washington primary?

SEATTLE -- Thirty-year-old Sarah Smith and a team of volunteers are hitting the pavement, knocking on door after door to spread the word: She's running for Congress and taking on 11-term Democratic incumbent Adam Smith in the primaries."I had to struggle to overcome this thought in my head of: I'm not from a political dynasty; I'm not supposed to go into politics; I'm working class; I haven't gone up the ladder; I haven't done it the right way; I haven't asked for permission," Sarah Smith said. "I had to really get out of that mindset because at the end of the day, we don't need to ask for permission to run to represent our neighbors."Sarah Smith is a candidate under Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats, the same slates that supported New York's Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who just dealt a crushing defeat to 10-term Democratic Congressman Joe Crowley."I cried when she got elected.

Bridging the Divide: Politics in America

Bridging the Divide: Politics in America

After decades of public service, U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) has decided not to seek another term. He sits down with Brandi Kruse to discuss the state of political discourse in America, and what each of us can do to help bridge divides in our own communities.

Inslee OKs prepaid ballot postage for entire state

Inslee OKs prepaid ballot postage for entire state

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of State Kim Wyman said Tuesday that Washington state will pay for prepaid postage on mail-in ballots in this year's primary and general elections in an attempt to boost turnout — but not for voters in King County, where local officials approved their own measure last week.