(KPTV) – Although Election Day is still a few weeks away, local elections offices want to remind voters that important deadlines are quickly approaching.

“We understand that we are part of the foundation of democracy,” said Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey. “We take our responsibility seriously and want to do what we can to improve and maintain people’s confidence in that process.”

If you live in Washington State, you have until Election Day on November 5 to register to vote. Voters can update existing registrations online until October 28. Voters must then go in person to the Electoral Office before 8 p.m. on election day.

However, Kimsey recommends not waiting until the last minute.

“If you come here on Election Day, you’re going to have to wait in a very, very long line,” he said. “It could take a few hours, maybe even three hours on Election Day.”

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If you live in Oregon, the deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, October 15. Residents with Oregon driver’s licenses have until midnight to register online.

If you do not have a valid Oregon driver’s license, permit or identification card, or if it has expired, you will need to complete a paper Oregon Voter Registration Card. Voters must send the card to their county elections office and have it postmarked by November 5.

Click here to check the status of your voter registration in Oregon.

In both Washington and Oregon, ballots are expected to be mailed to voters on Wednesday, October 16. If you haven’t received your ballot by Oct. 24, Kimsey recommends calling your county elections office to find out what the problem is.

Once you have completed your ballot, do not forget to sign it.

“We are finding a number of ballots that have not been processed,” Kimsey said. “They’re being challenged because there’s a signature mismatch or a missing signature.”

For Washington residents, you can track your ballot here.

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Once your ballot is signed, you can return it to your county elections office. You can mail it, but make sure it is postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Kimsey said using an official ballot box is the faster and more reliable option.

“Your ballot is kept very secure,” he said. “(I am) 100% confident that if you put your ballot in a ballot box, it will be received here at the Elections Office.”

For Washington residents: Click here to find a polling place near you. For Oregon residents, click here.

While many voters like to take their time, Kimsey suggested not waiting until Election Day to send them in.

“The more ballots we receive early, the more ballots will be included in the preliminary election results on Election Night,” Kimsey said.

This is the busy season for election offices. But Kimsey said they are ready to go and are encouraging people to cast their ballots for this year’s general election.

“It’s our government’s way of responding to our concerns,” Kimsey said. “(We) certainly want to encourage people to cast their vote this election.”

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