The next presidential election is happening soon and we’re here to answer your questions about voting and U.S. citizenship!
Our attorneys, Brittan and Mary Beth, have years of experience submitting successful applications for U.S. citizenship. If you or someone you know would like to schedule a consultation to discuss your immigration status, please call our office at (425) 374-1681.
Voting is a fundamental part of our democracy, but when it comes to immigration and naturalization the rules about who is eligible to vote, and when, can be confusing. With an important election right around the corner, we’d like to share some answers to commonly asked questions about citizenship and voting:
Who can vote?
Are you, or is someone in your family, a U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old? If so, then you may be able to vote in the upcoming election.
In order to be eligible to vote in the State of Washington ALL of the following statements must be true:
- You are a U.S. Citizen
- You are at least 18 years old
- You are a legal resident of Washington State*
- You do not currently have a legal issue that would disqualify you from voting, such as a court order stating that you may not vote, or a felony conviction that places you under the supervision of the Washington Department of Corrections
*Meaning that you have lived in Washington for at least the past 30 days, that you are currently attending college in another state but lived in Washington just prior to going to college, or that you currently live abroad but your last residential address was in Washington State.
If you do not meet all of the criteria, then unfortunately, you are most likely not able to vote in Washington State at this time.
How can I register to vote?
If you meet ALL of the criteria listed above and you are certain that you are eligible to vote, you can register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at your county elections office.
The deadline for online or mail-in registration for the upcoming election is Monday, October 26th 2020. The deadline for in-person voter registration at a local county elections office is by 8:00 pm on Tuesday November 3rd, 2020.
Note: Voting rules vary by state. If you are a U.S. citizen who lives in another state then you should consult your state’s official election offices for information about the rules and deadlines that apply in your state.
Can I vote if I have a green card or work permit?
No. Only people who are U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in federal and state elections in the United States.
If you are not a U.S. citizen it is very important that you do NOT register to vote or vote in any U.S. elections. Voting when you are not a U.S. citizen is against the law and can have extremely serious consequences for your immigration case.
If you or someone you know has registered to vote or has voted in a U.S. election when they did not have U.S. citizenship, we strongly recommend that you discuss the situation with an immigration attorney.
I am a U.S. citizen, but my husband or wife is not. How can my spouse become a U.S. citizen?
Many factors influence whether a foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, including where the marriage took place, how long the couple has been married, and the prior immigration history of the non-U.S.-citizen spouse. The first step in determining whether or not your husband or wife may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship or another immigration benefit would be to speak with an immigration attorney about your case. Every situation is unique, and we recommend that you speak with a professional to make sure that you meet all of the requirements before submitting an application for an immigration benefit.
What if I have other questions about my immigration status?
We understand that this election season can be a stressful time for many families. If you have concerns about your immigration status or how your situation may be affected by changes to national policy or laws, we encourage you to contact our office. Our immigration attorneys are ready to answer your questions, and our entire staff works to ensure that every case is treated with care, respect, and personal attention.
Attorneys Brittan Schwartz and Mary Beth Sheehan are currently available for consultations via phone or video conferencing.
Please call us at (425) 374-1681 if you would like to schedule a time to discuss your case.
