Your Voice, Your Vote: Make a Difference
To register to vote in Washington State, you must be a U.S. citizen, live in Washington, and be 18 years of age or older. For additional details about voter qualifications, refer to the Washington State Voter Eligibility Guide.
If you choose to register online, you will need a valid Washington driver’s license or state identification card.
Elections in Washington
Washington State conducts elections primarily through mail-in voting, allowing voters to cast their ballots from home and have additional time to review candidates and ballot measures before making their selections. Every county in the state uses the vote-by-mail system.
After ballots are returned, they are stored securely until election officials begin processing them. This process includes checking signatures and postmarks, separating the envelopes, and removing the ballot for counting. Security measures, such as numbered seals and detailed logs, are used to help prevent unauthorized access.
Ballots are generally mailed to registered voters at least 18 days before an election. Each ballot packet contains a ballot, a secrecy envelope, and a return envelope, along with instructions explaining how to complete and return the ballot. If you are registered to vote but do not receive your ballot, contact your county elections department.
For information about registering to vote in another state, visit Rock the Vote‘s voting information resources.
Registering to Vote
Washington residents can register to vote online, by mail, or in person. To register, you generally need to be a Washington resident and provide either a Washington driver’s license, permit, or state ID. If you do not have one of these forms of identification, you may be able to register using the last four digits of your Social Security number.
When completing a voter registration application, you must confirm that you are a U.S. citizen and are at least 16 years old. Voters who are 16 or 17 can enroll in Washington’s Future Voter Program and will be automatically registered once they become eligible to vote.
Starting January 1, 2022, individuals with felony convictions in Washington, another state, or federal court can have their voting rights automatically restored as long as they are not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison.
Voter registration forms and additional information are available through the Washington State Voters website. Those who are ready to register online can use Washington State’s MyVote system.
In King County, registered voters who have not received their ballot may be able to print a replacement ballot and return it by mail. Information about replacing a ballot or ballot envelope is available through King County Elections.
King County is currently the only county in Washington that provides this particular option, giving eligible voters another way to participate if their original ballot does not arrive.
Submitting your Ballot
Washington State conducts elections by mail, so registered voters do not need to request a ballot. A ballot is automatically sent to each registered voter before an election.
Voting by mail provides a convenient way to participate and gives voters time to review candidates and ballot measures before submitting their choices. Completed ballots can be returned through an official ballot drop box or by mail, with no postage required.
Ballots must be deposited in a drop box or postmarked no later than Election Day. If you are returning your ballot by mail, the U.S. Postal Service recommends sending it about one week before Election Day to help ensure it arrives on time.
To find the nearest ballot drop box or voting center, visit the Washington Secretary of State’s updated list of available locations. Highline College also has a ballot drop box located at the Bus Loop near 240th Street.