There is a lot of information out about how to vote in the state of Washington. We're here to help. Whether you are a new Washington voter or are curious about some aspect of our voting system, this is the information we've found most useful for our members.
How To Return Your Ballot
Washington defaults to vote by mail. We have one of the oldest vote-by-mail systems in the country, and it works well, with good security. Your ballot will be mailed to the address you registered with the Elections Division, and you can return it to an election office, a drop box or by mail. If you choose to mail your ballot, you do not need postage. However, it is recommended to give the post office several days to deliver your ballot; you should mail it by the Friday before the election. If you choose to return it through a drop box, it does not need to be in your voting district. You can find the statewide list of drop boxes for the current election here.
If you prefer to vote in person, the law requires at least one polling place per county. You can find that information here. You do not need to bring your mailed ballot to vote in person; polling places are equipped with the ballots for each district in that county. Please note that very, very few counties have multiple polling places and they are generally in the largest cities in the county.
If you vote more than once, the voter registration database is set to flag that you have already voted a ballot; if you need to re-vote due to a mistake or other issue, contact your county's elections office to request a replacement ballot instead.
Accessible Voting
If you are a voter with a disability that requires accommodation to be able to vote, there are a lot of resources and options on this page.
How (and When) To Register
Washington allows you to register online or register by mail, but your registration must be received at least 8 days before an election (including the primary). After that cutoff, you may register in person up to Election Day, and you will need to vote in-person at that time.
If you register by mail, the registration form is available in many different languages at the link above.
VoteWA and the Secretary Of State's Website
Washington state's election database is called VoteWA. In part because of our vote-by-mail system, it has very robust functionality. You can track your vote, register or update your registration, access your county's voter information guide, and more.
Another great resource for questions about voting in Washington is the Secretary of State's website. It has an absolute wealth of information about the current election and how to vote, which can be particularly useful for first-time and younger voters - if you know any of them, feel free to share the information!
Other Tips
- During major elections, the drop boxes can get very busy. It is recommended you return your ballot earlier rather than later.
- Washington state law restores voting rights to felons who are not currently serving a sentence of total confinement, but you must re-register to vote.
- Washington state allows other people to return ballots on behalf of voters. In some states, this is considered ballot stuffing, but it is entirely legal in Washington, and can be helpful for voters with disabilities or complex work schedules.