Everything you need to know to vote in the US election in Washington

We’re just over a month away from the 2020 US presidential election, and many Washingtonians will be looking to prepare themselves to have their voice heard.

While Washington is considered a vote-by-mail state, in-person voting is available for those with disabilities. In King County, voting centers will offer a drive-up service for people dropping off ballots.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to vote in Washington.

Important dates

Thursday, October 15 – secure mail-in ballot drop boxes open for 24 hours a day
Monday, October 26 – the last day to register as a voter in Washington
Tuesday, November 3 – Election Day

Register to vote

In order to register as a US voter in Washington you must meet the following qualifications:

A US citizen
A resident of Washington
At least 18 years old

Voter registration deadline is October 26 online and November 3 in person.

To register yourself, you must provide a Washington driver’s license, ID card number issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), or permit license. Should you not have a driver’s license, you can still use the online registration form, but you must print, sign, and deliver your issued voter registration form and paperwork to your County Elections Office prior to the registration deadline.

Voter Registration FORM

Voter Registration ONLINE

Voting by mail

Washington is home to a comprehensive and easy vote-by-mail system available to all residents.

Registered voters in Washington will receive a ballot via mail two to three weeks prior to the election. This ballot must be filled out and dropped off into one of the county-specific ballot drop boxes.

Washington State does not list all locations of ballot boxes until closer to the election.

Your official ballot is to be filled out, sealed into the security envelope provided, and then placed into the ballot return envelope.

Once filled out and sealed, ballots may be returned via mail or dropped off into one of the ballot boxes in your county.

If for any reason your ballot is destroyed, damaged, or deemed illegitimate by the voter, a replacement ballot may be requested by contacting your County Election Office.

Voting under special circumstances

There are many special circumstances as to why a registered voter may be unable to vote in an election. For those that meet the following criteria, specific information regarding how to vote can be found here:

That’s all there is to know for now. This story will be updated when locations of safe ballot drop boxes are revealed in the coming weeks.

Reminder, your deadline to register online if you are not already a registered Washington voter is Monday, October 26.

For more information, contact your specific County Elections Office.