If you are registering for the first time and plan to vote in person, you should plan on showing "proof of identification" the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes: (1) A current and valid photo identification or (2) A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address.
COVID-19 info
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Washington, Washington Department of Social and Health Services
Washington voter registration deadlines
- In Person: Election Day.
- By Mail: Received 8 days before Election Day.
- Online: Received 8 days before Election Day
Election Day Registration:
Individuals may register to vote in their county auditor's office, the division of elections if in a separate city from the county auditor's office, a voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor in his or her county of residence no later than 8:00pm on the day of the primary, special election, or general election. The registration process and requirements for registering on Election Day are the same as for filling out a paper registration form or the online form.
Washington voter registration rules
To register in Washington you must:
- Be a citizen of the United States;
- Be at least 18 years old by Election Day;
- Be a legal resident of Washington state, your county, and precinct;
- Not be disqualified from voting due to a court order; and
- Not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections for a Washington felony conviction or currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction
Washington voter registration directions
- Use our Register to Vote Tool to fill out the National Voter Registration Form.
- Sign and date your form. This is very important!
- Mail or hand-deliver your completed form to the address we provide.
- Make sure you register before the voter registration deadline.
Offsite links
- State Election Website
- Local Election Office: This is the government office responsible for running elections in your region. These are the best people to contact if you have any questions at all about voting in your state.
- Find your polling place
- Absentee ballot tracker tool
- Learn more about absentee voting
- Learn more about voter ID
- State Election Code