Home › Washington › How-To Guide
Washington · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Auditor or County Elections Director (county level - each of Washington's 39 counties) / Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Washington resident, at least 18 years old on Election Day (pre-register at 17), NOT currently serving a sentence of total confinement under WA DOC for a Washington felony conviction, and NOT currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction; not disqualified by court order
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: votewa.gov - Washington's online voter registration portal; requires Washington state driver's license, permit, or ID card; OR last 4 SSN; deadline: 8 days before election at 11:59 PM
  4. BY MAIL: Download WA voter registration form from sos.wa.gov/elections; complete, sign; must be RECEIVED by county elections office by 8 days before election
  5. IN PERSON: County Auditor/Elections office; Washington DOL offices (auto-registration); DSHS offices; many other state agencies; deadline: 8 days before election - OR -
  6. SAME-DAY / ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: Washington allows registration AND voting through Election Day at 8 PM; go to your county elections office on or before Election Day; register and receive a ballot (may need to provide qualifying ID)
  7. AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION (AVR): When you get/renew a WA enhanced driver's license or enhanced ID through DOL, you are automatically registered (or updated) unless you decline; opt-out available; WA has had AVR since 2018
  8. For advance registration: submit by 8 days before election
  9. Receive mail ballot automatically (all registered voters)
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • WA driver's license, permit, or ID card number (for online); OR last 4 SSN; OR can register without ID (but ballot may not count until ID provided)
  • Current WA residential address
Fee
Free ADVANCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 8 days before election (received, or online by 11:59 PM) SAME-DAY / ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: YES - through 8 PM on Election Day at county elections office; ballot issued immediately CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: votewa.gov or myvote.wa.gov WASHINGTON VOTE BY MAIL: ALL registered voters automatically receive mail ballots at least 18 days before the election; ballot must be RETURNED by 8 PM Election Day (drop box or in person at elections office); postmarked ballots no longer accepted (must be received) VOTING CENTERS: Available on Election Day (and often earlier) at county elections offices and designated voting centers for in-person voting or ballot drop-off ONLINE OPTION: Yes - votewa.gov (registration and status check); myvote.wa.gov WHERE TO GO: votewa.gov (online); County Auditor/Elections office; WA DOL (auto-registration); DSHS and many state agencies; voting center or elections office on Election Day
Online Option
Yes - votewa.gov (registration and status check); myvote.wa.gov
Where to Go
votewa.gov (online); County Auditor/Elections office; WA DOL (auto-registration); DSHS and many state agencies; voting center or elections office on Election Day
County-specific variations apply

Each of Washington's 39 counties has its own County Auditor (in most counties) or County Elections Director (in some larger counties like King County). King County Elections (kingcountyelectiions.com) is one of the most innovative and resourced in the nation. Pierce County, Snohomish County, Spokane County, and Clark County also have strong election systems. Most WA counties have numerous ballot drop boxes (especially King County with 100+ drop boxes).

Washington Notes

Important state-specific details

  • UNIVERSAL VOTE BY MAIL: All registered voters receive ballots automatically; no request needed; Washington has been all-mail since 2011 (some counties earlier).
  • SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: Available through Election Day; vote same day; excellent voter access.
  • ADVANCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 8 days - short window but same-day available.
  • AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION (AVR): Through DOL when getting/renewing enhanced DL or enhanced ID; opt-out available.
  • FELONY VOTING RIGHTS (effective January 1, 2022, per HB 1078): Rights AUTOMATICALLY RESTORED upon release from prison (no longer incarcerated); parole, probation, and community supervision do NOT restrict voting; the right is restored even if court fines or restitution are still owed; must re-register after release; misdemeanor convictions don't affect voting rights; juvenile convictions don't affect voting rights.
  • NO PHOTO ID REQUIRED to vote in most cases (mail ballot or ballot drop); voting centers may request ID for Election Day registration; registration without ID possible but ballot may not count until ID provided.
  • Ballots must ARRIVE by 8 PM Election Day (postmark no longer sufficient in Washington).
  • Pre-registration at age 17 (vote when 18).
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Washington Secretary of State, Elections Division - sos.wa.gov/elections | votewa.gov | (800) 448-4881; myvote.wa.gov; County Auditor/Elections (varies by county)