Thurston County Auditor’s Office has updated 58,000 voter registration records so far this year

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is hard at work preparing for the Nov. 3 general election in Thurston County. 

One aspect of that work that takes place year-round is updating voter registration records.

So far in 2026, the Thurston County Auditor’s Elections Division updated more than 58,000 voter registration records for the county’s over 210,000 registered voters, the auditor’s office announced Tuesday, Oct. 27. 

“Keeping our voter rolls accurate is a year-round effort,” said Mary Hall, Thurston County auditor. “We continuously update our records using reliable data from state and federal agencies, along with direct updates provided by voters.” 

Examples of these updates include:  

• 1,093 voter registrations canceled at the voter’s request 
• 1,823 voter registrations canceled due to death 
• 5,247 voter registrations moved to inactive status because of undeliverable mail. Inactive voters do not receive a ballot unless they contact the auditor’s office to update their address. 

 The remaining updates primarily consist of routine address updates and name changes. 

 To maintain accurate voter registration data, the auditor’s office works closely with trusted sources, including: 

• The Office of the Secretary of State 
• The Social Security Administration 
• The United States Postal Service National Change of Address program 
• Other state agencies, including Licensing, Health, Corrections, and the Office of the Administrator of the Courts 

The auditor’s office also removes registrations of deceased individuals using health department data, published obituaries and written notices from relatives. 

 Washington State is a member of the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), which uses data-matching software to compare voter registration and motor vehicle licensing records across 30 other states to ensure voters are not registered in multiple states.  

“We are very grateful when residents take the initiative to update their information or let us know about a deceased family member,” Hall said. “If a ballot arrives for a former resident, someone who has passed away, or an unfamiliar name, please reach out to the auditor’s office right away.” 

Voters may also return the ballot through the U.S. Postal Service by writing “Deceased” or “Not at this address” on the envelope and placing it in the mail. 

Monday, Oct. 26, was the last day voters could update their voter registration online or by mail ahead of the general election. 

Voters can still update their voter registration in person at either of Thurston County’s two voting centers through 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. 

The two Thurston County voting centers are:

• Thurston County Auditor’s Office, Elections Division: 2915 29th Avenue Southwest,Tumwater. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Friday, Oct. 30; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. 
• Thurston County Atrium, 3000 Pacific Avenue Southeast, Olympia. Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Friday, Oct. 30; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31; 8 a.m. to  6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.