The best way to make your voice heard is to remain active in civic engagement. That means staying informed about ballot measure issues, staying up to date on the ever-changing electoral process, and returning your ballot on time.

We at United Way work side by side with communities to achieve an equitable future for everyone. While our investment work provides immediate relief to those in need, our advocacy work addresses long-term solutions to systemic problems across our institutions, public and private sectors, and governing bodies.

Part of that advocacy is encouraging people to take part in the electoral process. If you are eligible and not registered, please do so right away. If you are registered, make sure you cast your ballot, not only for you, but for young people who are not old enough to vote and for immigrants and refugees who are not eligible to cast a ballot.

Did you know that once the voting period for midterms begins on October 16, you can deposit your ballot in an official drop box 24 hours a day, all the way up to 8 p.m. on Election Day (November 3)?

Vote on your way to work, while on your morning jog, or after leaving the grocery store. Vote in the middle of the night or just before sundown. Vote with friends or alone. It’s that easy. It’s that simple.

According to the Wisconsin-based nonprofit Ballotpedia, Washington is one of 15 states that require ballot drop boxes for elections and is among many states that mandate drop boxes to have security protocols. Ballot boxes must have fire-suppression mechanisms and be bolted to the ground.

“I think we’re the best, I really do,” said Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs about casting ballots here. Hobbs and Amanda Sandoval, United Way’s director of public policy and systems change, spoke about several topics related to voting on the most recent Hourglass United Way of King County podcast.

That said, however, Hobbs cautioned voters to return ballots early and said that those seeking to vote via mail should do so well before November 3. White House’s attempt to implement new US Postal Service rules for mail-in ballots means that yours might not be counted if you turn it in too late.

“Vote by mail is still happening; however, what I’ve been telling people is that you really need to put your ballot in a drop box,” said Hobbs. “If you really want to use your mailbox, you have to do it early. If you’re 10 days from the election, don’t even do it.”

Did you know there are websites that keep you informed about the midterm elections?

Here are some of the best websites to help keep you informed:

• Information about federal elections: https://www.usa.gov/voting-and-elections
• Information about state elections: https://www.sos.wa.gov/
• Information about King County elections: https://cd.kingcounty.gov/en/home/dept/elections
• Data on how to participate in federal, state, and local elections: https://www.accessibility.wa.gov/how-to-guides/vote-participate-local-state-federal-elections