Voter Registration

It’s a presidential election year! Additionally, all state representative positions are up for election, as are about half of the state senate seats. Washington will also elect a new governor and attorney general, and US Senator Maria Cantwell’s seat is up for re-election. Now is a good time to register to vote. If you register to vote in a timely manner, you will receive your ballot via mail. Some deadlines to note: 

July 19 First day of the 18-day voting period for primary elections.
July 29 If you would like to vote in the primary, online and mail registrations must be received 8 days before Election Day. 
August 6 Primary day. Primary ballots must be postmarked or dropped in an official drop box by 8 PM.
October 18 First day of the 18-day voting period.
October 28  Online and mail voter registrations must be received by this day. 
November 5 Election Day. Ballots must be postmarked or dropped in an official drop box by 8 PM. This is also the final day to register to vote in person, but the WSCC advises that you register ahead of this date.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

Presidential election years are a time to reflect on faithful citizenship and how Church teachings relate to policy issues. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) publishes Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, which applies Catholic teaching to public policy issues, including respecting life, promoting peace, religious freedom, economic justice, migration, unjust discrimination, and more. This is a highly recommended resource to consult when considering policy issues and forming your voting decisions. The introductory letter to this publication was updated last year. Faithful citizenship will continue to be a WSCC topic of discussion this election year.  

Guidelines for Parishes and Agencies on Political Activity

Parishes are encouraged to discuss public policy issues. However, the Church does not endorse candidates nor political parties. The WSCC highly encourages advocacy, but some nuances may be confusing. As we are called to faithful citizenship, please consult the WSCC’s “Guidelines for Parishes and Agencies on Political Activity” to determine which activities may occur at your parish. The WSCC can be reached at wscc@wacatholics.org to provide further guidance.

New WSCC Communications Toolkit

This election year is an opportune time to introduce the public policy work of the WSCC bishops to parishes, a ministry you lead or participate in, or fellow Catholics. A toolkit with a bulletin insert and social media assets may be found here.  Select “yes” when prompted to access the toolkit. These assets may be used now and throughout the year.

State Legislative Session Recap

The 2024 state legislative session concluded on March 7. Thank you, Catholic advocates, for joining the WSCC in advocating for the common good. Click here to see which bills the WSCC took a position on and which bills were passed into law.

Good News from Around the State: PREPARES 

The Pregnancy and Parenting Support (PREPARES) program is a statewide initiative of the Catholic bishops of Washington to support and accompany pregnant women and families in need. This ministry is carried out at the parish level and guided by Catholic Community Services and Catholic Charities in the state. Now in its tenth year, PREPARES served 14,120 families last year across 36 of Washington's 39 counties. Thank you to the faithful in all three dioceses of the state for undertaking this work.   

Below are some PREPARES “Mercy Moments,” stories of lives saved and ministry memories:

  • Seven pregnant mothers in need of support were celebrated at a community baby shower hosted by over 40 parish volunteers and parishioners of St. Joseph/St. Peter in the Archdiocese of Seattle. The mothers posed with gifted quilts above.
  • Reflections from a founder of the PREPARES ministry at Holy Rosary in the Diocese of Yakima: “When I learned about PREPARES, I felt like it was a call to serve.” Following training from a PREPARES Area Coordinator who shared best practices for carrying out program goals, this parishioner recalled, "By the following week, we had an entire list of families to visit." PREPARES continues to flourish at Holy Rosary. 
  • Cataldo Catholic School in the Diocese of Spokane blessed PREPARES families with a Christmas party. The students served breakfast, performed a concert, did crafts with families, and purchased gifts. Photo above.

Upcoming Events

Womb to Tomb Pro-life Retreat

Registration is now open for Womb to Tomb, a pro-life retreat hosted by St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lynden, WA.  WSCC Director of Policy and Communications, Adrienne Corpuz Joyce, will be one of the speakers.

Iron Sharpen Iron Men’s Conference

Bishop Frank Schuster of the WSCC will be speaking at Iron Sharpens Iron, a Catholic men’s conference on April 20. Learn more and register here.  

Important Dates
April 21  World Day of Prayer for Vocations
April 22  Earth Day
May Asian Pacific Islander Month
May 9    Ascension of the Lord
May 12   Mother's Day
May 19   Laudato Si’ Week begins
May 31   Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
May 31   Memorial Day

 

WSCC Staff

We invite you to contact us at any time.

Jean Welch Hill, Executive Director

jean.hill@wacatholics.org

Adrienne Corpuz Joyce, Director of Policy & Communications     

adrienne.joyce@wacatholics.org                                

Tracey Wilson Yackley, Operations Manager 

tracey.yackley@wacatholics.org

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Click here to view previous WSCC bulletins on our website.