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How do I register to vote in Washington?
The registration process includes three different avenues — online registration that requires a Washington State driver’s license or State ID, a mail-in ballot or in person at the Whatcom County Courthouse. Before registration, you can check and update your voter status here. In-person registration for Skagit County is at the Skagit County Auditor’s Office. If you have moved recently, you need to update your address.
Why might my vote not be counted?
Common reasons include an envelope signature not matching the one on file, a late postmark, no envelope signature at all, more than one ballot or an incorrect envelope signature.
How do I vote if I was convicted of a felony?
On Jan. 1, 2022 legislation went into effect to establish voter registration for an individual convicted of a felony in Washington state, another state, or federal court, as soon as they are no longer serving a sentence of total confinement under the Department of Corrections.
Anyone who has a misdemeanor or juvenile court conviction will not lose their right to vote. For more information on voter rights, ACLU Washington has a comprehensive guide.
What are the deadlines to remember?
July 17 is the deadline for county election offices to mail out ballots and the start of an 18-day voting period. For eligible military and overseas voters, ballots are mailed 30 days prior on June 21.
July 29 is the deadline to register or update your address online.
July 30 is the recommended day to mail back ballots in advance of Election Day.
Aug. 6 is primary Election Day. If you miss the deadline to register by mail or online, you can register and vote in person before 8 p.m. on this day.
Nov. 5 is the General Election.
What will I see on my ballot?
In Whatcom County, various district resolutions will appear on the ballot — Fire Protection Districts 1, 17, 21 and Lynden School District No. 504. Your precinct determines the resolutions that will appear.
In Skagit County, property tax levies for fire protection and emergency medical services in Fire Districts 8 and 14 are on the ballot. Other measures include two proposals — one for a Skagit County Regional Fire Authority and the other for a Fidalgo Metropolitan Recreation District.
Also on the ballot are seats for positions such as governor and Washington Supreme Court. The state website includes all candidates.
This election is also known as a Top 2 Primary, which allows voters to select from candidates contesting for each office. The two candidates who receive the most votes then qualify for the general election on Nov. 5.
The Top 2 Primary was used for the first time in 2008 and has been in effect for all partisan elections since then.
Where can I vote?
A map of corresponding ballot drop box locations can be found on Whatcom County Elections’ website. If you are disabled, you can request a reasonable accommodation or assistance to vote. Voting centers must meet requirements established by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and accessible voting units will be available starting July 19.
In Skagit County, not all boxes are open for each election. Voters will receive a list of open boxes for this election in their ballot packet.
Each location will open Wednesday, July 17 and remain open 24 hours a day until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 6.
When are primary election results available?
The deadline for the Washington Secretary of State to publish election results is Aug. 23. Past election data, such as voter registration numbers and total ballot counts, can be found here.
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the deadline for county election offices to mail out ballots. The deadline is July 17. The story was updated to reflect this change at 12:33 p.m. on July 18, 2024. Cascadia Daily News regrets the error.
Olivia Capriotti is a Dow Jones summer news intern, specializing in data journalism. Reach her at oliviacapriotti@cascadiadaily.com.
