Voting in Washington

Washington is a vote-by-mail state, so you do not need to visit a polling place to vote, but each county will open a voting center during the voting period. You can search for your voting center here.

Washington uses a vote-by-mail system for all elections, meaning all registered voters will automatically receive a ballot in the mail at least 18 days before each election. If you prefer to vote in person, each county opens a voting center prior to each primary, special election, and general election.

In addition to vote-by-mail, Washington offers an 18-day voting period (through Election Day) and all registered voters may cast their ballot beginning 18 days prior to Election Day at a voting center.

Washington has open presidential primaries. Voters are not asked for party affiliation when registering to vote, and are only asked for a party declaration in presidential primaries -- however, this has no bearing on how a voter may vote in future presidential primaries. For all other primaries, Washington uses a top-two primary system that allows voters to choose among all candidates running for each office. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the Primary Election qualify for the General Election. 17-year-olds cannot vote in the primary election even if they will be 18 by the corresponding general election.

ID is not required to vote in Washington’s vote-by-mail elections, with the exception of federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requirements for first-time voters.