Voting in Washington

Change My State

State Primary Election

08/06/2024
State Primary Election Day
07/29/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (by mail - received, online)
08/06/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (in-person)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

07/30/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
08/06/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

Early Voting Dates

07/19/2024
Early Voting Begins
08/05/2024
Early Voting Ends

The upcoming election is a state primary. Click here for additional info, including party requirements and what's on the ballot.

Polling place hours: Opening time varies to 8 p.m.

Register to Vote

How to Vote in Washington

Learn about all the options to vote in Washington to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Washington is a vote by mail state. This means that all registered voters will receive a mail-in ballot to the address on their voter registration. If you have moved you must update your registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington Board of Elections Phone Number: (800) 448-4881

Washington Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in Washington

Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

Washington Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can check your voter registration online on Washington’s elections office website here, or you can contact the Board of Elections at (360) 902-4180.

It can take several weeks. Most states send out voter registration cards within 5 to 7 weeks after receiving the registration. If you do not receive a registration card in the mail, contact your state election office to confirm you are registered. Find your state’s contact information in our How to Vote in Your State section on this page! In any event, you should verify your registration a week prior to the voter registration deadline in your state in case you need to fill out a new registration form or correct your form.

Elections take place all the time throughout the year, and odds are, you probably have an election coming up in your state! In addition to the presidential election and midterm elections, you have statewide, countywide and municipal elections that you can make your voice heard in. Make sure you know when your upcoming elections are so that you don’t miss a single one! Check out when your next election is here.

Your state provides an online ballot tracking system. You can track your ballot here!

YES you are able to register to vote at your student address. You should provide your official campus mailing address as well as the actual physical address of your on or off campus residence when registering to vote. You must have some sort of proof of address and residency that can be presented at your polling place (mail, a student ID, etc.). For more information, we suggest visiting your state’s elections office website. Remember: you can only register to vote and vote in one place, whether that is your student address or your home address!

YES, unhoused voters can register to vote and use their voice in Washington’s elections. Unhoused voters or voters without a permanent address may list a shelter address, street corner, or park as their address. For more information on voting while unhoused, visit our friends at the National Coalition for the Homeless.

YES. In this case you must register at the last address you had before you left the USA, or at the address to which you will return to when returning to the USA (you must present some indication of a present intent to return and live there – e.g. vehicle registration, driver’s license, property ownership, family, etc). If you have never had a permanent address in the United States but are a citizen you are allowed to register at an address you plan on moving to or an address where you currently have family living. Access more information on voting overseas here.

You may call the voting rights hotline at 866 687-8683, if informing another poll worker isn’t successful. They have lawyers ready to help you. Additionally, you can call the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice. You can also find Washington’s elections office here and contact them by phone at (360) 902-4180.

Vote By Mail

Request and track

Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in Washington.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

07/30/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
08/06/2024
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

How Vote By Mail Works in Washington

Washington is a vote-by-mail state. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters, meaning it has a one step process.

After you complete your ballot, be sure to return it ASAP!

  • Return in person by Election Day at 8 p.m. You can return to your county designated vote centers, drop box, or your local elections office.
  • Or mail in your ballotballots must be postmarked by Election Day to be counted. To make your postmark date, put the ballot into your home mailbox for collection at least one day prior to ensure it is picked up and processed. You can also drop the ballot off at the post office before the last posted collection time on Election Day. We recommend returning your ballot ASAP.

Need your ballot sent to a different address? Apply here and follow the steps listed above. There is no set deadline but it is recommended that you apply at least seven days before Election Day. If you need to receive a replacement ballot in the week before the election, you may print your ballot using your online voter portal.

Where to Sign Your Ballot

Remember to sign your return ballot.

After you complete your ballot, be sure to sign the declaration on the outside of the ballot envelope.

Be sure that your signature matches your signature on file with the state! If you registered online or at the DMV, check the signature on your license. If the signature does not match, your ballot could be tossed and will not count.

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

If you return your ballot by mail, your postage is prepaid. You can also return your ballot via commercial delivery services, such as FedEx or UPS (at your expense).

You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, drop box, or early voting locations.

Can Someone Else Return Your Ballot For You?

Anyone may return a ballot on your behalf.

Track Your Ballot

Track your ballot by clicking here.

Haven't used your ballot?

If you have an absentee ballot that you are not going to use, or you miss the deadline to return, you may go to your vote center and vote in person. You may be asked to use a provisional ballot. 

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

Washington does offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot.

Your state has a cure period, which means you can “cure” a challenge to the signature on your ballot if it was done incorrectly. Your local election office is required to contact you and give you options to remedy your ballot. You have until the election certification process begins, which is usually 21 days after Election Day.

You may get a call from a number you do not recognize with a notification that you need to cure your ballot. Be sure to pick up so that you don’t miss your chance to make sure your vote counts.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

Washington conducts their elections by mail. When voting by mail, voters do not need to provide any form of ID. Voters in Washington who choose to vote in person at a voter center will need to provide an acceptable photo ID or give their signature on a ballot declaration/provisional ballot. Valid forms of identification include;

  • Washington driver’s license
  • Washington state ID card
  • Student ID card
  • Tribal ID card
  • Employee ID Card

Voter ID in Washington

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Statewide Primaries

Primary Type (D): Open
Primary Type (R): Open

The primary election is a top-two primary. After you vote, the top two vote-getters on the ballot, regardless of their party, will move onto the general election.

The Washington primary election includes the following races:
– U.S. senator and representatives
– Governor
– State executive seats
– State legislators
– Judicial races
– Municipal government seats

Automatic Registration

Your state automatically registers people to vote at their address of record when they interact with certain state agencies. If you have moved, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.

Election Day Registration

You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.

Early Voting

Early Voting Dates

07/19/2024
Voting Begins
08/05/2024
Voting Ends

You can vote early in Washington

You can return your mail-in ballot to your early voting site.

You may vote early in person at any vote center in your county. You may also register to vote in person at vote centers through Election Day.

Preregister

Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.

In Washington, you can preregister to vote if you are 16. Register to vote today!

Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!

You can not vote in the Washington primaries if you are 17 by the next election.