Skamokawa, Washington Public Records

Public safety in Skamokawa is primarily overseen by the Skamokawa Police Department, which works in conjunction with the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office to ensure the security and well-being of the local community. Residents seeking to obtain arrest records, mugshots, booking information, or criminal history data can begin by contacting the Skamokawa Police Department for records related to their jurisdiction. The Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office also maintains comprehensive records and can provide additional information if needed. Both law enforcement agencies are committed to upholding the safety and quality of life for those living in and visiting the Skamokawa area.

Skamokawa voters are served by the Wahkiakum County Auditor's Office, which administers all elections for the county. The office is located at 64 Main Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612, phone (360) 795-3219, and the website is wahkiakumcounty.com. Washington State conducts all elections entirely by mail; there are no traditional polling places. Every registered voter in Skamokawa and Wahkiakum County automatically receives a ballot mailed to their registered address approximately 18 days before each election. Voters must return their ballot by mail (postmarked by Election Day) or deposit it in an official ballot drop box by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Wahkiakum County maintains ballot drop boxes at the County Courthouse in Cathlamet and other designated locations. Skamokawa residents can register to vote online at the Washington Secretary of State's VoteWA portal (vote.wa.gov), in person at the County Auditor's Office, or by mail using a paper registration form. Online registration requires a Washington driver's license or state ID. The registration deadline is 8 days before Election Day for online and mail registration, or in-person registration is available through Election Day during business hours. Washington allows same-day voter registration. Because Skamokawa is unincorporated, it does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council; residents vote in county, state, and federal elections only. Wahkiakum County elections include County Commissioner (three districts, staggered four-year terms), Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Auditor, Treasurer, Assessor, and Clerk positions, plus Port of Wahkiakum commissioners, and various taxing district positions such as school board, hospital district, and fire district. In the November 4, 2024 general election, Wahkiakum County reported voter turnout of approximately 78-82%, consistent with the county's historically high participation rates; the county had approximately 3,100 registered voters and around 2,500 ballots returned. The county favored Republican candidates by substantial margins in the 2024 presidential election, continuing a long-standing conservative voting pattern. On November 3, 2026, Skamokawa and Wahkiakum County voters will decide numerous races. Federally, Washington's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Maria Cantwell is not up in 2026; instead, voters will elect all members of Washington's U.S. House of Representatives, including the 3rd Congressional District seat that represents Wahkiakum County. At the state level, all 98 seats in the Washington House of Representatives and approximately half of the 49 state Senate seats will be on the ballot; Skamokawa voters participate in the 19th Legislative District elections. County offices that may be on the ballot in 2026 include Wahkiakum County Commissioner District 2 (depending on term cycle), Prosecuting Attorney (four-year term), and Assessor (four-year term), along with various local taxing district positions. No gubernatorial race occurs in 2026 in Washington; the next gubernatorial election is in 2028. To request an absentee or replacement ballot, Skamokawa voters can contact the Wahkiakum County Auditor at (360) 795-3219 or request online through the VoteWA portal. Washington's mail-in ballot system effectively makes every voter an absentee voter. Voters can track the status of their ballot online at votewa.gov to confirm it was received and counted. Public election records in Washington include voter registration lists (available for political purposes with restrictions under RCW 29A.08.710), campaign finance disclosure reports searchable through the state Public Disclosure Commission (pdc.wa.gov), candidate filings, and precinct-level election results. Wahkiakum County posts unofficial election results on election night and certifies results within approximately three weeks. The County Auditor's website publishes detailed precinct results, turnout statistics, and historical election data. Voters can find their ballot drop box locations, view sample ballots, and access the local voter's pamphlet through the county elections website and the Washington Secretary of State at sos.wa.gov/elections.