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 in-person early voting. No excuse is needed to vote early. Early voting begins 18 days before the election and goes through Election Day.

Washington has open primaries. Voters are not asked for party affiliation when registering to vote, and they are asked for a party declaration only in presidential primaries. Party affiliation is removed from all ballots after elections. 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.