Voting information
Links: FAQ * polling/dropff locations * links * election calendar * endorsements
TO PROTECT YOUR VOTE:
Mail in your absentee ballot now. Your absentee ballot must be postmarked on Election Day, so you must drop it in the mailbox before the last pickup time listed on the mailbox. However, during the Primary, nearly 6,000 voters put their absentee ballots in the mail on Primary Day, only to miss the last pickup time. Their vote did not count. We encourage you to mail in your ballot as soon as you can today or early on Election Day. Follow the instructions on your ballot about postage and how to mail your ballot.
Haven't received your absentee ballot? We've gotten a lot of questions on our Hotline from people who haven't received their absentee ballot. Is this is you or someone you know? To get a replacement ballot, go to your County Auditor's office or dropoff location. If you live in Pierce or King Counties, you can also go to your local polling place and vote there by provisional ballot on Election Day.
Remember, you can always vote by provisional ballot. Provisional ballots exist to preserve your right to vote. If you have any problems voting - say, you've moved and haven't changed your registration to your new address - you can always vote by provisional ballot. Just go to your County Auditor's office or any polling place (if you live in King or Pierce Counties) to get a provisional ballot. Here are some situations where you may find yourself needing a provisional ballot:
- You aren't at your designated polling place. Even if you are supposed to be at another polling places, you can vote at any poll by provisional ballot.
- You've moved and haven't changed your registration to your new address.
- You go to the polls and you're not in the poll books.
- You haven't received your absentee ballot.
- You're an absentee voter and now want to vote in person.
- You're a poll voter, but you don't have the proper ID.
Watch the mail. If there are any problems with your ballot, your County Auditor will notify you by mail. Watch your mail, and if you do get a notice, follow their directions to a T. The Auditor is trying to help you. You can fix your ballot in the week following Election Day.
If you have any questions or need information you can:
Read our FAQ
Find polling locations or dropoff locations for your absentee ballot
View relevant links to more information
View the election calendar
To view our endorsements, click here.
Democratic activists and T'Visions Production Company produced the following video, which shows you how to correctly mark, seal, sign, and mail your absentee/mail-in ballot in Washington State to make sure that your vote gets counted.
If you vote at the polls, click here to find your polling location.
If you don't want to mail in your ballot, you can drop it off at one of the locations on the map below.
To view the map more closely use the + button to zoom in on the map. Use the arrows or grab the screen with your mouse to move to a different area of the map. You can also click View larger map to see the map of the entire state and search based on your address.
October 4: Last day for mail in and online voter registrations
October 15: Absentee ballots available for November 4 General Election
October 17: Absentee ballots mailed for November 4 General Election
October 20: Last day of in-person registration
November 3: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot
November 4: ELECTION DAY!
November 24: Last day to correct signatures on mail-in ballots
November 25: Day by which counties must certify their votes.
- For general voting information , go to the Secretary of State's website.
- For specific questions, contact your County Auditor.
- For the Secretary of State's voting guide, click here.
- To check that you're registered and find your polling place, go to MyVote.
- For the Barack Obama voting site, visit Vote For Change.
- If you are in the military or living overseas, go to the Federal Voting Assistance Program website to find out how to vote absentee.
- For the Absentee Voter's Bill of Rights, click here.
- For the Poll Voter's Bill of Rights, click here.
- If you are a college student, you can find resources at Washington Students for Barack Obama.
- For information about rank-choice voting in Pierce County, view the video on the Pierce County Auditor website.
- To become an absentee voter in King County, visit this page.
- To become an absentee voter in Pierce County, visit this page.
- For information about the candidates, visit this page.
I have a questions about: Registration, Mail-in Voting, Poll Voting, Provisional Ballots, Signatures, Accessibility, Military and Overseas Voting, Students, Reinstatement of Voting Rights for Felons
Q: Can I still register?
A: You can register in person at your County Auditor's office through October 20th if you are currently not registered. Call your County Auditor to check on hours and any other information you may need. After October 20th it is too late.
Q: The online registration does not show me as registered to vote. What should I do?
A: Call your County Auditor. If you live in Pierce or King County, you can go to your polling site on Election Day. If they cannot find your name on the rolls, you can vote by provisional ballot. Your vote might not be counted.
Q: What identification do I need to register?
A: : Until October 20th you must register in person at your County Auditor with your driver's license or the last four digits of your social security number. After October 20, you cannot register to vote in the November 4 election.
Q: How can I check my registration?
A: Go to MyVote or call 1-866-687-8683 to check your status or update your address.
Q. I have been informed that my voter registration is "inactive." What should I do?
A. If you are listed as inactive, you are still registered to vote but will not receive a mail-in or absentee ballot in the mail. Contact your County Auditor for instructions on how to return your status to "active" and obtain a ballot. In King and Pierce counties, you may also go to your polling place on Election Day and vote with a provisional ballot.
Q: What are the requirements for registering to vote?
A: (1) A citizen of the United States; (2) A legal resident of Washington; (3) At least 18 years old by Election Day.
Q: What do I do if I am a registered voter and I have moved?
A: You may update your address with the County Auditor at any time.
If you moved within the county, you can update your address by:
- Going to MyVote.
- Mailing the County Auditor a signed request stating your present address and
the address where you were last registered. - Appearing in person before the County Auditor and signing such a request.
- Telephoning the County Auditor to transfer the registration.
- Changing your address on Election Day at any polling site.
If you moved to a new county within Washington State, you can update your address by:
- Mailing in a new voter registration form.
- Filling out a new voter registration form online.
- Flling out a new voter registration form at any polling site on Election Day.
If you update your address with the County Auditor after October 4, 2008, you are still registered to vote and on the voter rolls at your prior address. You must do the following in order to vote:
- If you have moved from one county to another, you can contact the County Auditor where you were previously registered to vote and request that they forward your ballot to your new address.
- If you are an absentee voter and have placed a forwarding address with the post office, the post office should forward your ballot to the forwarding address you provided.
- If you are a poll voter or did not receive your absentee ballot, you may vote in the polling site assigned for your prior address.
All voters always may enter any polling site and vote with a provisional ballot.
Q: If I have moved and not re-registered before October 4th, can I vote?
A: (1) If you move within the same county and have not registered at your new address by October 4th you can still vote at your old polling place. You can fill out a change of address form at that time. (2) If you move to a new county, you must re-register in the new county. After October 4th you can go to your new polling place if you live in King or Pierce counties, or call your County Auditor to find out where to get a provisional ballot in mail-in ballot counties.
Q: Do I have to pick a Party when I register to vote?
A: No.
Q: Will I get my ballot in the mail?
A: All counties vote by mail-in ballot except for King and Pierce Counties. If you live in any other county you should receive your ballot in the mail. If you live in Pierce or King County and are registered as an ongoing absentee voter, or have requested a one-time absentee ballot, you should also receive your ballot in the mail.
Q: I did not receive my ballot in the mail and I live in an all mail-in ballot county, or I am an ongoing absentee voter in King or Pierce County. What should I do?
A: Ballots are mailed starting about October 17th. You can call your County Auditor to find out why you have not received your ballot and to check that your registration is current and active.
Q: I want to request an absentee ballot on Election Day. Can I?
A: No absentee ballots are issued on Election Day except to hospitalized voters and military men and women. The last day to receive an absentee ballot is Nov. 3rd.
Q: I requested an absentee ballot but now want to vote in person. What should I do?
A: There is in-person voting only in King and Pierce counties. If you are a resident of one of those counties and requested an absentee ballot, but prefer to vote in person, you can go to your polling place. You will be given a provisional ballot and be allowed to vote. If you did not send in your absentee ballot, your provisional vote should be counted. If you did send in your absentee ballot, that will be counted. (Note that if you simply don't want to mail your absentee ballot, you can fill it in and take it to a dropoff location.)
Q. I usually vote in person, but I want an absentee ballot. What do I do?
A. You can request and absentee ballot by calling or going in person to your County Auditor. After October 15th, you can also go to your County Auditor's office, request an absentee ballot and vote right there.
Q: Do I need ID when voting by absentee ballot?
A: When voting absentee, your signature is your ID. Use your driver's license signature as a guide because Washington State uses that for verification.
Q: Where can I get a replacement absentee or mail-in ballot?
A: If you live in King and Pierce Counties, the election officer at your polling place can issue the a new ballot or ballot card. If you live in any other county, you can obtain the ballot by telephone request, by mail, electronically, or in person from the County Auditor until 8:00 pm on Election Day.
Q: Do I need ID when voting by absentee ballot?
A: When voting absentee, your signature is your ID. The state of Washington uses your driver's license signature as the basis for verification, so use that as your guide.
Q: I did not receive my ballot in the mail. What should I do?
A: If you live in Pierce or King County you can go to your polling place and vote on a provisional ballot or call the Pierce or King County Auditor and ask them what you should do. In all other counties you must call your County Auditor and they will give you instructions. In general, if there is time, they can mail you one; otherwise, you will have to go to the County Auditor's office or a dropoff location to obtain a replacement ballot.
Q: What do I do to get my mail-in or absentee ballot counted?
A: (1) You may mail it in. If you do, be sure to have proper postage and that it is postmarked by 8pm on November 4th. Generally postage is a first class stamp. To be safe, check the voting instructions that come with your ballot. Pierce County will require two first class stamps. We recommend you mail it at least the day before, so that there is no chance of it missing the deadline. (2) You may drop it off at a designated dropoff location. Each county has at least one drop-off location. They should be accepting drop-off of mail-in ballots on approximately Oct. 15th.
Q: I forgot to sign my absentee ballot envelope. What happens?
A: If you neglect to sign the outside envelope of an absentee or provisional ballot, the County Auditor will notify you by mail and advise you of the correct procedures. In order for the ballot to be counted, you must do one of the following two things:
- Appear in person and sign the envelope no later than Nov. 24th.
- Sign a copy of the envelope provided by the auditor, and return it to the auditor no later than Nov. 24th
Q: What should I do if I mail in my ballot without the security envelope?
A: Call your County Auditor. They may have you get another ballot at your polling place (if you live in King or Pierce County). They may also have you vote on a provisional ballot.
Q: What if I forgot to put a stamp on my ballot when I mailed it?
A: Your ballot will be delivered to your County Auditor, and your vote will be counted.
Q: Do I need ID when casting a ballot at a polling site?
A: Proper identification is required. The identification requirement can be satisfied by providing:
- A valid photo identification, such as a driver's license, state identification card, student identification card, or tribal identification card.
- A voter identification card issued by a county elections officer.
- A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check or other government document.
Q: I forgot or do not have ID. Can I vote?
A: Vote by provisional ballot. Any individual who desires to vote in person but cannot provide identification shall be issued a provisional ballot.
Q: What happens if I go to my polling place and I am not in the poll books?
A: Ask to vote by provisional ballot.
Q: Are there any restrictions about what I can wear to a poll booth?
A: It is up to the poll judge to determine whether a voter's attire is appropriate. Clothing that carries partisan logos or is somehow designed to sway other voters' opinions could be deemed inappropriate.
Q: Can I bring voting aids into the polls with me?
A: Yes, any voter may take into the voting booth or voting device any printed or written material to assist in casting his or her vote. The voter shall not use the material to electioneer and shall remove the material when he or she leaves.
Q: What happens if I mismark my ballot?
A: You may return it and be issued a new ballot. The precinct election officers shall void the incorrectly marked ballot and return it to the County Auditor.
Q: Will my ballot count if I choose not to vote on certain issues or candidates?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I use a black felt tip pen to fill in my ballot?
A: We do not advise black felt tip pens, because they bleed through and can cause stray marks that can prevent the ballot from being counted properly. We generally recommend black ballpoint pens.
Q: What activity is allowed near a polling place?
A: No person may do any of the following within a polling place or in any public area within three hundred feet of any entrance to a polling place:
- Suggest or persuade or attempt to suggest or persuade any voter to vote for or against any candidate or measure.
- Circulate cards or handbills of any kind.
- Solicit signatures to any kind of petition.
- Engage in any practice that interferes with the freedom of voters to exercise their franchise or disrupts the administration of the polling place.
Q: Can I take time off from work to go vote?
A: If an employee's work schedule does not give the employee two free hours during the time the polls are open, not including meal or rest breaks, the employer must permit the employee to take a reasonable time up to two hours, which is paid time, from the employee's work schedule for voting purposes. However, this law only applies if, during the period between the time an employee is informed of his or her work schedule for an election day and the date of the election, there is insufficient time for the voter to secure an absentee ballot.
Q: What is a provisional ballot?
A: Provisional ballots are a fail safe for voters. Anyone can cast a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot is issued at the polling place on election day, by the precinct election board, to a voter who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to vote on a regular ballot. After the election the County Auditor will examine and investigate all provisional ballots to determine whether the voter was eligible to vote in the election and, if so, the ballot will be counted.
Q: I was told I could not vote with a provisional ballot. What do I do?
A: Anyone can vote with a provisional ballot, provisional ballots are accepted or denied after the election. There is no reason why you cannot have a provisional ballot.
Q: Where can I get a provisional ballot?
A: The County Auditor's office and, if you live in King or Pierce Counties, polling places.
Q: If I signed my original registration and included my middle initial, and then signed my ballot without my middle initial, will my ballot not be counted because my signature doesn't match?
A: Including or omitting a middle initial will not invalidate your signature. The county looks at the first and last names and compares signature traits. According to a spokesperson for King County Elections, it is good to go with whatever is on your driver's license, because the state uses the DMV registrations for comparisons.
Q: If my signature is challenged will my vote still count?
A: Yes, if you comply with the requirements in your county. Call your County Auditor if you have not received notification from them. If you have received notification, be sure to follow their directions explicitly, including all deadlines.
The County Auditor should promptly notify you by first class mail if your signature is being challenged. You will need to remedy the situation in one of two ways.
- Appear in person and sign a new registration form.
- Sign an affidavit sent to you by mail and return it to the Auditor.
You need to take these actions before the County certifies its votes. Law says that Counties must certify their votes by November 25th, so you must complete your change by November 24th. However, counties have the right to certify their votes early. Check with your County Auditor to make sure you are on time.
Q: How can I vote if I am disabled?
A: Voting places are required to be accessible to disabled persons. In addition, assistance in voting may be provided to a voter who suffers from a sensory or physical disability. You may have anyone you choose provide that assistance. Or it can be provided by two election officers from opposite political parties. They will enter the voting machine with you and record your vote as you direct.
County Auditors must make polling places accessible to elderly and disabled persons. County auditors are responsible for installing temporary ramps, or the relocating of polling places if necessary.
In King and Pierce Counties, you can vote at your polling place. At each polling location, at least one voting unit certified by the Secretary of State shall provide access to individuals who are visually impaired.
In Mail-In only Counties, you can vote at designated Accessible Voting Sites. For locations of sites, contact your County Auditor.
Q: What is electronic voting?
A: It is a touch screen machine set up for voters with disabilities that impair their ability to vote with a paper ballot.
Q: Where are the electronic voting polling locations?
A: Electronic voting polling locations can be found at all polling sites.
Military and Overseas Citizens
Q. I am in the military (or am a civilian living overseas). How do I vote absentee?
A. The Web site www.fvap.gov gives instructions to military and overseas civilians on how to register to vote, obtain and return an absentee ballot. You can register and get an absentee ballot up until Election Day.
Q: As a student, can I vote at my parents' address?
A: If you consider your parents' address to be your residence, you may vote using that address. You do not gain residence automatically just by attending college or university.
Q: I am a student. Where can I vote?
A: If you are registered at school, there should be no problem. If you are registered elsewhere (such as your parents' home), you can vote in Washington State at the County Auditor's office in your school's county, using a provisional ballot and your registered address.
Q: Can I change my registration address to my college address?
A: Yes, you may update your registration on Election Day, but you need to vote where you are currently registered (or if you can't, see the previous question).
Reinstatement of Voting Rights for Felons
Q: I've been convicted of a felony; can I vote?
A: If you have been convicted of a felony in Washington, in another state, or in federal court, you lose your right to vote in Washington, until your civil rights are restored. When you have completed all of the requirements of your sentence, the Dept. of Corrections notifies the sentencing court. Your name will no longer appear on the felon list, and you can reactivate or re-register and vote. Call your County Auditor for more information.
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PO Box 4027, Seattle, WA 98194, (206) 583-0664
Chairman Dwight Pelz, http://www.wa-democrats.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee