Registration
Washington registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.
State Voting Guide
Washington Voting Guide
Use this Washington voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.
At a Glance
Washington voting quick facts
Voter ID
Washington is listed as Non-strict photo ID.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
Washington State votes by mail.
Felony Voting Rights
In Washington, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2021, HB 1078 restored voting rights to citizens on parole.
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and 1 more.
Register
Washington voter registration options
Washington voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted. Same-day registration may also be available where noted.
Online Available
Online registration deadline is 8 days before Election Day
- Online registration must be completed 8 days before Election Day.
By Mail Available
Your Registration by mail must be received 8 days before Election Day
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 8 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
Eligible persons may register to vote on any day up to and including the day of the election. Registration is available during all normal business hours of your town or city clerk's office on days preceding the election and during polling hours on Election Day.
- In-person registration may be completed on Election Day.
same day registration Available
Eligible persons may register to vote on any day up to and including the day of the election. Registration is available during all normal business hours of your town or city clerk's office on days preceding the election and during polling hours on Election Day. RCW 29A.08.140
- Same-day registration is available through Election Day where permitted.
military overseas Available
Military and overseas citizens are exempt from registration deadlines and should contact their county elections department for assistance.
national_form
The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
registration_status
Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site
Identification
Washington voter ID laws
Washington voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.
Non-strict photo ID
Washington voter ID rule: Non-strict photo ID.
Code: Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.40.160(7)
Accepted forms of ID
- Driver's license
- State identification card
- Student identification card
- Tribal identification card (no residential address or expiration date required)
- Employer identification card
If you do not have ID
- A voter who appears in person at a voting center and cannot provide identification may cast a provisional ballot.
- The provisional ballot will be counted if the signature on the ballot declaration matches the signature contained in the voter's registration record.
Polling Places
Washington poll hours
Polling places in Washington are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM.
7:00 AM-8:00 PM
Washington is an elections-by-mail state and does not have polling places. Ballots had to be postmarked no later than Election Day. They could also be returned to a designated ballot drop box or returned in person to the county elections department by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Absentee Voting
Washington absentee and mail voting
Washington State votes by mail.
Absentee Voting In Washington
Washington State votes by mail.
Request an absentee ballot
- Your ballot is mailed to you at least 18 days before each election. Your ballot packet will include a ballot, a secrecy envelope, and a return envelope. Follow the instructions that accompany your ballot.
- If you are a registered voter and do not receive your ballot, contact your county elections department.
Return an absentee ballot
- Your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- If you fail to sign the ballot declaration, or the signature on the ballot declaration does not match the signature in your voter registration record, your county elections department will contact you. If you are unable to sign the...
- You can check the status of your ballot by logging into MyVote and clicking on "Ballot Status".
Eligibility
Washington voter eligibility
You may maintain your voter registration in Washington State until you register to vote elsewhere. Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Age requirements
Voting age: 18 years of age or older on Election Day
Registration age: You can register if you will be at least 18 by Election Day.
To register to vote in the State of Washington, you must be:
- A United States Citizen,
- A legal Resident of Washington State,
- 18 years of age or older on Election Day,
- Not under the authority of the Department of Corrections; and
- Not disqualified from voting due to a court order.
To register to vote as a Residency in the State of Washington, you must be:
- employees in the civil or military service of the state or of the United States
- living overseas
- attending college or any institution of learning
- confined in any public prison
Voting Rights
Washington felony conviction voting rights
In Washington, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2021, HB 1078 restored voting rights to citizens on parole.
Lost Only While Incarcerated; Automatic Restoration After Release
In Washington, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2021, HB 1078 restored voting rights to citizens on parole.
Citation: Wash. Const. Art. VI, § 3; Wash. Rev. Code §§ 10.64.140, 29A.08.520
Recent actions
- 2021 Passed HB 1078 restoring voting rights to citizens on parole.
- 2019 Enacted SB 5207 requiring DOC to notify inmates about the rights restoration process.
- 2009 Enacted HB 1517 , restoring right to vote upon completion of sentence; required re-registration.
Work and Voting
Washington time off for voting
Employees who do not have 2 free hours (excluding meals and breaks) during their work day in which polls are open, and who receive their work schedule with insufficient time to request an absentee ballot, are entitled to up to 2 paid hours leave to vote. The employer can set the time for leave to vote.
Time off status: Yes
Employees who do not have 2 free hours (excluding meals and breaks) during their work day in which polls are open, and who receive their work schedule with insufficient time to request an absentee ballot, are entitled to up to 2 paid hours leave to vote. The employer can set the time for leave to vote.
Washington - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.
Employees who do not have 2 free hours (excluding meals and breaks) during their work day in which polls are open, and who receive their work schedule with insufficient time to request an absentee ballot, are entitled to up to 2 paid hours leave to vote. The employer can set the time for leave to vote.
Lookup
Washington voter information lookup
Check Your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and and more.
Moving
Washington moving and student voting
As a student, you probably change your address more frequently than the average voter. Remember to update your voter registration every time you move. You can update your address online with MyVote, by mail or in person.
Movers and college students Voting
As a student, you probably change your address more frequently than the average voter. Remember to update your voter registration every time you move. You can update your address online with MyVote, by mail or in person.
College Voters
- As a student, you probably change your address more frequently than the average voter. Remember to update your voter registration every time you move. You can update your address online with MyVote, by mail or in person.
- Your residential address determines which candidates and measures will be on your ballot. This must be a Washington State address that you consider home.
- If you live on campus and provide a campus address as your residential address, be sure to list your dormitory and room number; a PO Box is not a residential address.
- Your mailing address is where your ballot will be mailed. It does not impact the ballot measures and candidates that will appear on your ballot. Your ballot can be sent to you anywhere in the world. For example, you may list your parents’...
Movers
- You must establish your voting residency address at least 30 days before Election Day. You may specify a mailing address that is different from your residential address.
- You may only be registered to vote at one location, even if you own multiple residences. If you move or are temporarily away, you may maintain your voter registration at that address until you register to vote elsewhere.
- If you have a nontraditional address, such as a motor home or transitional housing, your voting residence is the physical location at the time you register to vote. You may list a different address for your mailing address.
Sources
Washington official voting resources
Questions
Common Washington questions
Can I register to vote online in Washington?
Washington lists online voter registration as available. Online registration deadline is 8 days before Election Day
What voter ID rule does Washington use?
Washington is listed as Non-strict photo ID. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in Washington?
Polling places in Washington are generally open 7:00 AM-8:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my Washington voter registration or polling place?
The Washington voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check your polling place location, view your sample ballot, and and more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in Washington?
In Washington, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2021, HB 1078 restored voting rights to citizens on parole.