Washington
VOTE BY MAIL
Oct 16 to Nov 3
Friday, October 16 to Tuesday, November 3
Washington mails a ballot to every registered voter.
It has to be back by Tuesday, November 3. Put it in an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, or mail it (no stamp needed) postmarked by Election Day. The state recommends mailing more than a week before Election Day, and using a drop box after that.
Washington votes by mail. The 18-day voting period starts Friday, October 16, 2026, when ballots are mailed, and runs through 8 p.m. on Election Day. Each county opens a voting center for in-person services during business hours; find yours at VoteWA.gov.
Register by Monday, October 26
voter.votewa.gov/WhereToVote.aspx · If you are not registered, this is first.
My day
What to bring
- Washington votes by mail. Your county elections office reviews the signature on your ballot envelope and compares it to your voter registration record.
The state does not ask most voters to show ID to vote. If you use an accessible voting unit at a voting center, the county will either compare your signature or check identification.
No ID? You can register to vote without ID. However, your ballot will not be counted until you provide a qualifying ID to a county elections office.
If the line is long
Any voter who is inside or in line at the voting center at 8:00 p.m. on the day of the general election must be allowed to vote.
If they turn you away, ask for a provisional ballot.
Call from the line
866-OUR-VOTE 866-687-8683
Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA 888-839-8682Asian languages/English: 888-API-VOTE 888-274-8683Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US 844-925-5287
Election Day: November 3. Last resort.
newbws.com/vote/wa
Final word: Washington Secretary of State, www.sos.wa.gov/elections
Read on October 26, 2026.