Washington is a universal vote-by-mail state. Voters should receive their ballots in the mail by October 16th, and there will be numerous locations to return a completed ballot in person. If there are any issues with receiving or returning your VBM ballot, early voting begins on October 16th. Washington voters should know where to go to vote in person as a back-up plan.
To avoid possible postal delays impacting your vote, we recommend mailing your completed ballot back by Tuesday, October 13th. Plan to drop it off by hand after that.
If you are concerned about your absentee ballot returning on time through the mail, visit our other page to learn how to drop your ballot off in person.
Register In Person: November 3, 2020
Register By Mail: Received October 26, 2020
Register Online: October 26, 2020
Voted ballots must be postmarked to your county elections office by Election Day, or dropped off to a drop box by 8pm on Election Day.
We strongly recommend mailing your ballot much earlier (by October 13th) and, if that's not possible, dropping it off in person. Learn how below or on our other page.
Ballots will be automatically mailed to all registered voters in mid-October. Just make sure you're registered to vote!
No.
No.
Completed ballots can be delivered to your county elections office or an official drop box by 8pm on Election Day.
To find drop boxes, login to VoteWA and Select Drop Boxes and Voting Center Locations. You can then view a list or a map of drop boxes and voting centers in your area.
Yes, however no person may hand-deliver more than two absentee ballots in any election and any person hand delivering an absentee ballot is required to certify that he or she has not examined or altered the ballot.
Opens October 16th and runs through Election Day. Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available at voting centers.
Election offices or other locations designated by the county auditor. Find specific information by logging in to VoteWA or going to your county election office website.
You do not need any ID to vote in Washington by mail. Most people in Washington vote by mail, and this is recommended.
If you want to vote in person at a voting center, first-time voters who registered by mail or voter registration drive and did not provide a verified Washington driver’s license, learner’s permit, state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security Number, will need to present one of the following when in voting in person:
Valid photo ID;
Valid tribal ID of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Washington State;
Copy of a current utility bill;
Current bank statement;
Copy of a current government check;
Copy of a current paycheck; or
A government document that shows both your name and address.
Additionally, if you vote in person at a voting center, then you need to either sign a ballot declaration or present a photo ID, such as:
A driver’s license or state ID card;
A student ID card;
A tribal ID; or
An employer ID card.
A tribal identification card is not required to include a residential address or an expiration date to be considered valid, but the other forms of ID must have those features.
Anyone who wants to vote in person but cannot provide ID will vote a provisional ballot, which shall be accepted if the signature on the declaration matches the signature on the voter's registration record.
Individuals may register to vote in their county auditor's office, the division of elections if in a separate city from the county auditor's office, a voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor in his or her county of residence no later than 8:00pm on Election Day.
The registration process and requirements for registering on November 3, 2020 are the same as for filling out a paper registration form or the online form.
Opening hours vary; all polls close at 8pm
If you are in line when polls close, you are legally entitled to vote. Don't leave!
You do not need any ID to vote in Washington by mail. Most people in Washington vote by mail, and this is recommended.
If you want to vote in person at a voting center, first-time voters who registered by mail or voter registration drive and did not provide a verified Washington driver’s license, learner’s permit, state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security Number, will need to present one of the following when in voting in person:
Valid photo ID;
Valid tribal ID of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Washington State;
Copy of a current utility bill;
Current bank statement;
Copy of a current government check;
Copy of a current paycheck; or
A government document that shows both your name and address.
Additionally, if you vote in person at a voting center, then you need to either sign a ballot declaration or present a photo ID, such as:
A driver’s license or state ID card;
A student ID card;
A tribal ID; or
An employer ID card.
A tribal identification card is not required to include a residential address or an expiration date to be considered valid, but the other forms of ID must have those features.
Anyone who wants to vote in person but cannot provide ID will vote a provisional ballot, which shall be accepted if the signature on the declaration matches the signature on the voter's registration record.