Riverside, Washington Public Records

Washington State conducts elections entirely by mail, meaning all registered voters receive ballots by mail approximately 18 days before each election, with no traditional polling places. Residents register to vote online through the Washington Secretary of State website at https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx, which offers registration and address updates. Voters must register or update their registration at least 8 days before Election Day (online or by mail) or in person up to 8:00 PM on Election Day at the County Elections Office. Washington requires applicants to provide a valid Washington State driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Since Riverside is unincorporated without municipal government, residents do not vote in city council or mayoral elections. Instead, local voters participate in Okanogan County Commissioner elections, Washington State legislative races, statewide ballot measures, and federal elections. Okanogan County has three County Commissioner districts elected to four-year staggered terms. Residents also elect the County Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer. Washington State legislative districts are redrawn every ten years; the community falls within a legislative district that elects one State Senator and two State Representatives. Voters can find their assigned legislative district and specific ballot through the Washington Secretary of State's VoterConnect portal at https://voter.votewa.gov/. Washington's elections are conducted entirely by mail-in ballot. Registered voters receive ballot packets at their registered mailing address, and completed ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day either by mail (postmarked by Election Day) or deposited in official ballot drop boxes located throughout Okanogan County, including at the courthouse in Okanogan. Ballot tracking is available online through the VoterConnect system, allowing voters to confirm their ballot was received and counted. At the federal level, voters will elect representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives (Washington has 10 congressional districts, with the area in one of the central/eastern districts). State-level races include all 98 seats in the Washington House of Representatives (two-year terms) and approximately half of the 49 State Senate seats (four-year staggered terms). Depending on the cycle, local voters may also elect their State Senator and will definitely vote for State Representatives. Voters should check the Okanogan County Elections Office website beginning in summer 2026 for candidate filing information and local measures. Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) makes most election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists are available for political and election related purposes upon written request and payment of copying fees to the County Elections Office. Campaign finance disclosure reports for county and state candidates are searchable online through the Washington Public Disclosure Commission at https://www.pdc.wa.gov/, which tracks contributions, expenditures, and independent expenditure committees. Candidate filing information, including declarations of candidacy and financial affairs statements, are maintained by the Elections Office for local races and the Secretary of State for state and federal races. Election results by precinct are published on the Okanogan County Elections website after certification, typically within two weeks of Election Day following the canvassing process.