OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington’s primary elections are coming up on Aug. 6. Here’s what you need to know.
How to register to vote
Political power is vested in the people of the state by Article I of the Washington Constitution. It is a civic responsibility entrusted to citizens by the Evergreen State’s founding document.
Washington citizens can register to vote in the primary online by July 29 on VoteWA’s website if they have a current state driver’s license, permit or ID card. If you don’t have an ID card, you can register to vote in person on August 6 at a county elections office.
How does voting work in Washington?
Washington uses a mail-in voting system. Ahead of Aug. 6, voters will receive their ballots at their registered address and are required to deposit them in a mailbox or elections drop box by 8 p.m. on election day.
Can I vote if I’m a felon?
Felons have had the right to vote in Washington since 2022. As long as you are not currently serving a Washington State Department of Corrections sentence, you should be able to register to vote without issue.
Can I vote if I’m abroad or deployed overseas?
As long as you have a residential address in Washington, you can have a ballot mailed or emailed to you if you are in the military and currently serving abroad, or if you are a citizen temporarily living abroad.
What will I be voting on in August?
Primary elections decide the top candidates who will head to the general election in November. They do not determine who will occupy public offices. For more information on the candidates who will appear on the primary ballot, you can check the Washington Secretary of State Voters’ Guide and NonStop Local for nonpartisan information.
Where do I look for election results?
Election results will appear on the Washington Secretary of State’s website and the Spokane County Elections page. NonStop Local will offer updates on the major races during primary night.
