Bill Bruch on Election Integrity, Local Elections and Practical Ways to Help

Recap by Tonya Hickman

At the October 6th Republican Women of Whatcom County luncheon, we welcomed Bill Bruch from Skagit County. Bruch has been chairman of the State Election Integrity Committee since 2020 and is in his 8th year as the Skagit County Republican Party Chair and serves on the Washington State Republican Party Executive Board. He spoke about election integrity, local races, and practical ways citizens can help shape the future of Washington.

Bruch said progressive groups are organizing around local elections and recruiting candidates for local seats. He pointed to a local Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter organizing in Mount Vernon as one example. If you love freedom, this should terrify you. Everything starts locally. We need conservatives to fill seats on city councils, school boards, in county offices, and in other local positions that shape decisions affecting our communities. When organized groups recruit candidates and voters, they can influence who serves and the direction local policy takes.

Bruch urged Republicans to respond early by finding capable candidates, building campaign teams, and talking with voters face to face. He emphasized reaching beyond our usual circles, winning over moderates, and choosing candidates who can win. In a 2023 article⁠, he noted that at least 19 Washington races that year were decided by nine votes or fewer. Close races show that a relatively small number of voters can determine who takes office.

He also highlighted county auditor races. Auditors and election offices have important responsibilities in administering elections and maintaining voter registration records. Bruch encouraged people to pay attention to these races and support qualified candidates who will review concerns carefully and follow through on appropriate voter roll maintenance.

Bruch described volunteer election integrity work underway across Washington. He reported that volunteers had knocked on about 3,500 doors in 25 counties and that a broader effort

involved about 100 people across 30 counties. Volunteers gathered information about voter registration address discrepancies and provided it to county auditors for review. He encouraged people to keep supporting this work by gathering information carefully and following proper procedures.

There are practical ways to take part: learn about local candidates, volunteer as an election observer, help with lawful voter outreach, support campaigns, attend community meetings, and encourage neighbors to register and vote. These efforts build relationships and bring attention to local issues.

Christians in particular need to get on board. FPIW reports that 1.3 million Christians in Washington do not vote. That is an enormous number of voices missing from decisions that shape our communities. If more Christians became informed and participated, we could turn the tide in close local races and help change the direction of our state.

The idea that “my vote doesn’t matter” is hogwash. The close races Bill highlighted show that a handful of votes can change the outcome, and they prove we can win when we organize and show up. Let’s learn who is on our ballots, encourage other Christians and neighbors to vote, and get involved in local races. You can follow Bill’s articles and updates through his and subscribe to his newsletter: All Things Politics newsletter and podcast⁠.

At the end of Bill's talk he took questions.

Q: Are there enough conservatives still left in the state to win elections or are too many leaving?

Bill's response: You have to remember that the opportunities and cost of living here are high for everyone and it is not just Republican leaving, Democrats are too.