Like many other U.S. states, Washington allows its driver's license and ID card applicants to register to vote at their local Licensing Services Office (LSO). In this way, the state's Department of Licensing helps citizens more easily participate in the democratic process.

Voting is an important part of the functioning of our government and our nation. There is little excuse for not registering to vote in Washington elections when the process is made so simple.

The Department of Licensing will handle your voter registration if you meet the following requirements:

• Resident of Washington

• U.S. citizen

• Not convicted of a felony

• At least 18 years old by the time of the election

Once registered in Washington, residents must update their voter registration information if they move to a new county. To do this, just register to vote again, and your old registration will be automatically canceled.

If you won't be heading to a Licensing Services Office any time soon, you can download a voter registration form from the Washington Secretary of State. You can even download the form in seven other languages besides English. You may submit this voter registration form by mail to:

• Office of the Secretary of State

• Voter Registration by Mail

• P.O. Box 40230

• Olympia, WA 98504-0230

Your Opinion Matters To Us!