Whether you are voting for the first time or have voted before, this guide will help you understand your rights, get your ballot, and make sure your vote counts!
Why is voting important? It is how you make your voice heard!
Voting is one way people can participate in decisions that impact their communities. Elections help determine who makes decisions about public services, workplace protections, schools, housing, and many other issues important to each of us and our communities.
Are you registered to vote?
- Check if you are registered to vote. Enter your name and date of birth. If you are registered, your account will show up.
- If you are not registered, you can still register to vote for the November 3rd election. Register to vote in person no later than 8 p.m. on November 3 at a County Elections Office.
What do you need to register to vote?
You will need:
- Name
- Residential address
- Mailing address (if it is different from your residential address)
- Note: You must be a Washington resident.
- Note: You do not need to own or rent a home to register to vote. If you are experiencing homelessness or do not have a traditional residential address, you can describe a location where you usually stay, such as a shelter, park, or intersection. You will also need a mailing address where you can receive your ballot. This may be a shelter, service organization, or another address where you can receive mail.
- Date of birth
- Note: Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Signature
- U.S. Citizenship
- Note: You must also swear to the fact that you are a U.S. citizen when you register to vote
- Identification
- Note: You can register to vote without an ID. However, your ballot will not be counted until you provide a qualifying ID to a county elections office.
- Note: If you are registering for the first time or voting at a voting center, additional identification requirements may apply. Contact your county elections office if you need help.
- Note: To vote, you must also not be currently serving a sentence of total confinement under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections for a felony conviction, nor be disqualified from voting by court order.
I am registered to vote. How do I get my ballot?
- In Washington state, ballots are mailed to the address connected to your voter registration.
- Your ballot should be mailed to that address at least 18 days before each election.
- You can check your address by signing into VoteWa.gov. It’s easy! All you need is your name and your date of birth to sign in.
- Ballots were mailed in early October for this election.
My ballot isn’t here. What do I do?
If you can’t find your ballot or it wasn’t mailed to your address, you can:
- Just ask! Contact your local county elections office if you need a new ballot or did not receive the original ballot. Their phone number is 509-574-1340.
- Print a replacement ballot at VoteWA.gov.
- Contact your county elections office to request a replacement or visit a voting center for help.
- Note: Remember, only one ballot will be counted and the elections office will verify your signature.
What if I don’t speak English?
Ask for help! Some counties provide ballots and election materials in additional languages. You can contact your county elections office to ask what language assistance is available.
Time to Vote! Once you have your ballot, how do you vote?
Follow the instructions provided on your ballot, make your selections, put your ballot in its return envelope, and sign the envelope.
Return your completed and signed ballot at an official ballot drop box.
Your ballot must be in an official drop box by no later than 8 p.m. November 3, 2026, or postmarked by no later than November 3, 2026, if mailed. (Because postmarks can be delayed, use an official drop box if you are voting close to Election Day.)
How do I find an official ballot drop box to return my ballot?
- Use the Secretary of State’s statewide drop box locator.
- Sign in to VoteWA.gov for a personalized list of drop boxes and voting center locations.
- For additional assistance or more details, contact your local elections office.
How do I know if my ballot was received and accepted?
Visit Vote.Wa.Gov, enter your information, and check your ballot status.
- Ballot Status Meanings:
- Sent = Your ballot was mailed.
- Received = Elections officials have received it.
- Accepted = Your ballot has passed signature review and is accepted for counting.
- Challenged = there’s an issue or a problem related to your ballot that may need your attention.
- One of the most common issues is a missing signature or a signature that doesn’t match the one on file.
- If there’s a problem, your county elections office will contact you with instructions for fixing it. This is sometimes called “curing your ballot.”
- You can also contact your county elections office directly if you see a problem when tracking your ballot.
- One of the most common issues is a missing signature or a signature that doesn’t match the one on file.
- Note: It can take up to 3-5 business days for a returned ballot to be shown as received.
Know your rights and be prepared in case something goes awry
Washington law prohibits interference with voting and certain electioneering activities within 25 feet of a ballot drop box. Know your rights and what to do if they are violated.
What’s next?
Voting is important, but voting is not the only way to participate and make your voice heard. People can also organize with coworkers, join community groups, attend public meetings, speak with elected representatives, and work together to advocate for changes between elections.