Chewelah, Washington Public Records

Residents can register to vote online through the Washington Secretary of State at vote.wa.gov, in person at the Stevens County Auditor's Office, or by mail using a voter registration form. Online registration requires a Washington State driver's license or ID card. Voter registration must be received by 8 days before any election for eligibility to vote in that election. Washington allows same-day registration during the in-person voting period before Election Day. No party registration is required, as Washington has an open primary system for most offices. As an incorporated city, Chewelah holds municipal elections for Mayor and City Council positions. The city has a Mayor-Council form of government with the Mayor elected to a four-year term and seven Council members elected to staggered four-year terms. Municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years according to Washington law, typically on the first Tuesday in November. Candidate filings and local ballot measures specific to the city are managed through the Stevens County Elections Office. Voters can find information about local candidates through the Stevens County elections website, local newspapers like the Chewelah Independent, and candidate forums. To find their assigned polling place or ballot drop box location, residents can use the Voter Information tool at vote.wa.gov or contact the Stevens County Auditor. Washington's vote-by-mail system means all registered voters receive ballots automatically at their registered address approximately 18 days before Election Day. Voters may return ballots by mail (postage paid), at official drop boxes located throughout Stevens County (including locations in Chewelah), or in person at the Auditor's Office. Drop boxes are accessible 24/7 until 8:00 PM on Election Day. Election records that are public in Washington include voter registration lists (available for political purposes with restrictions), campaign finance reports filed with the Public Disclosure Commission (searchable at www.pdc.wa.gov), candidate filing information, precinct-level election results, and ballot measure text and financial disclosures. Voter registration lists show name, address, and voting history but not ballot choices, which remain secret The county has historically leaned Republican in federal and state elections. At the federal level, Washington's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Maria Cantwell will be on the ballot in 2024, but not 2026 (Senator Patty Murray's seat is up in 2028). All U.S. House seats are elected every two years, so Washington's 5th Congressional District, which includes Stevens County and Chewelah, will have a representative race in 2026. However, all 98 State House of Representatives seats are elected every two years, and approximately half of the State Senate (staggered four-year terms) will be on the ballot. Chewelah is part of Washington's 7th Legislative District, so voters will elect their State Representative positions in 2026 and possibly a State Senator depending on the cycle. Stevens County offices on the 2026 ballot will likely include County Commissioner positions (elected to staggered four-year terms, with three commissioners total), County Assessor, County Auditor, County Treasurer, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, and Clerk positions depending on term expirations. Chewelah will not have municipal elections in 2026 as city elections occur in odd-numbered years. Washington voters can request absentee ballots (though all voters automatically receive mail ballots) by registering to vote or updating their registration address. Military and overseas voters can request ballots electronically through the Federal Voting Assistance Program. Voters who need accessible voting options can request assistance at the Stevens County Auditor's Office, which provides accessible voting equipment and assistance during the in-person voting period before Election Day.