Upcoming Elections
2009 General Election: 11/3/09
Polling Place Hours: 38 of Washington's 39 counties vote by mail. Pierce County still maintains poll sites. Polling places in Pierce County are open from 7am - 8pm.
Click here to download a Washington Frequently Asked Questions document created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
Voter Registration Information
Click here for a Washington Voter Registration Guide created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
Registration Deadlines
In Person: October 5, 2009
By Mail: October 5, 2009
- Changes to residential address, mailing address, name, or other voter registration record information must be made before this deadline. The registration must be postmarked no later than the deadline.
You can also register to vote online up to 30 days before the election (by October 5, 2009).
If you are a new voter in Washington state, you can register in person at your county elections department until October 26, 2009.
Identification Required for Registration
If you register by mail, you will need a Washington state driver's license, Washington state ID card, or a Social Security number. If you have none of those forms of ID, you will be required to provide one of the following items when you cast your ballot:
- 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
- A government document that shows both your name and address
If you do not provide one of the above items either before or at the time of voting, your ballot will be treated as a provisional ballot.
How to Check Registration
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Check online.
Voting Information
Identification Required to Vote
Voters voting at the polls must provide identification before signing the poll book. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID card, student ID card, or tribal ID card
- Voter registration card
- Utility Bill
- Bank statement
- Paycheck
- Government check
- Other government document
A voter who does not have ID may vote a provisional ballot.
How to Find Your Polling Place
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Check online.
Absentee Voting
Click here to visit GoVoteAbsentee.org, a resource for absentee voters.
Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot.
You may sign up to automatically receive an absentee ballot before each election. Just check the "Yes" box in the Ongoing Absentee Voter Request section of the Mail-In Voter Registration Form. If you choose not to receive an absentee ballot automatically, and your county does not vote by mail, you may either vote at the polls or request an absentee ballot for any given election. One-time absentee ballot requests may be made either by phone, fax or mail as early as 90 days before an election to your county elections department.
In addition, the county election's department must mail all ballots to voters 18 days prior to an election. You do not have to return your ballot by mail. You may return your ballot to the county election's department or another designated ballot drop site. If your county has poll sites open on Election Day, you may return your mail ballot to a poll site.
Absentee ballots must be signed, postmarked, or delivered to the county election officer on or before Election Day at 8pm.
Early Voting
Early voting is not available.
Information For People who have Moved or Changed Addresses
Your voter registration record should contain your current name or address. You can use Washington's online voter registration tool to let your County Elections Department know when you move or change your name.
You must re-register or transfer your registration at least 30 days before the election to be eligible to vote in your new precinct.
You can also re-register or transfer your registration on Election Day by completing a voter registration form at the polling place and/or writing the new residential address in the precinct list of registered voters. If you re-register or transfer your registration on Election Day, you are only eligible to vote in your old precinct (in the precinct in which you were previously registered).
Information for People with Felony Convictions
If you have been convicted of a felony in WA, another state, or in federal court, you are eligible to vote once your civil rights have been restored.
For more information, go to the Secretary of State's website, or click here to download a Washington Election Protection Manual created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and its pro bono law firm partners.
