| Voting in Washington |
|
To vote in Washington means understanding voting in your county. FAQsWhat are mail elections?Why are elections conducted by mail?Which counties vote by mail?As a registered voter, what do I have to do to vote by mail?When are the ballots mailed to the voters?I will be out of town when ballots are mailed. How do I make sure I get a ballot?What do I do if my ballot doesn't arrive?What if I have moved and have not updated my registration?What if I make a mistake while voting my ballot?Do I have to return my ballot by mail?When must the voted ballot be returned?How do I know if my ballot is received?I am a resident of King County or Pierce County, and will vote at my polling place. What ID to I need to bring with me to the polls?More questions?What are mail elections?Mail elections are an alternative to polling place voting. Prior to each election a ballot is automatically mailed to every eligible registered voter to the address on record. Why are elections conducted by mail?Many Washington State voters had already requested to receive permanent absentee ballots at each election rather than go to an assigned polling place to vote on Election Day. In many counties, because of the low turnout at the polls on Election Day, it is not cost effective to continue to conduct poll site elections. Many voters enjoy the extra time to review the ballot before casting a vote that comes with voting by mail. Which counties vote by mail?37 of Washington's 39 counties vote by mail. King and Pierce Counties still maintain poll sites, but King County plans to switch to vote by mail elections in 2008. As a registered voter, what do I have to do to vote by mail?
If you live in a county that conducts all elections by mail you will automatically receive a ballot. You will need to keep your residence and mailing addresses current with your County Auditor to ensure your ballot is mailed to the correct location. When are the ballots mailed to the voters?Washington State law requires ballots be mailed to voters at least 18 days prior to an election. I will be out of town when ballots are mailed. How do I make sure I get a ballot?If you will return prior to Election Day, you may have time to vote and return your ballot when you get back. If you will not return prior to Election Day, you will need to provide your County Auditor with a temporary mailing address to send your ballot. If you will be unable to vote and return a regular absentee ballot you may request a Special Absentee Ballot up to 90 days before an election. What do I do if my ballot doesn't arrive?If Election Day is approaching and you have not received a ballot, contact your County Auditor's Office for a replacement ballot. If you would like a replacement ballot to be mailed to you, do not wait until the day before the election to request one. If there is not enough time to receive a replacement ballot by mail, you may pick one up in person. What if I have moved and have not updated my registration?
Many counties forward mail ballots. If you receive your ballot that has been forwarded, you should contact your County Auditor to update your address. What if I make a mistake while voting my ballot?If you make a mistake on your ballot, you may be able to correct your ballot by crossing out the incorrect vote and marking the correct choice. If your ballot is not able to be corrected, you should contact your County Auditor's Office for a replacement ballot. Do I have to return my ballot by mail?You do not have to return your ballot by mail. You may return your ballot to the County Auditor's Office or another ballot drop site designated by your County Auditor. If your county has poll sites open on Election Day, you may return your mail ballot to a poll site. Please do not allow anyone, other than someone you trust, to deliver your ballot for you. If you need assistance, please contact your County Auditor's Office. When must the voted ballot be returned?Mail ballots must be post-marked on or before Election Day. If the Auditor's Office receives a ballot after Election Day that was not post-marked on or before Election Day, the votes on the ballot will not be counted. How do I know if my ballot is received?Upon receiving your voted ballot, your County Auditor flags your record in the system to indicate you have returned a ballot. This ensures that the Auditor will be aware of a person who returns more than one ballot. You may contact your County Auditor to ask whether your record indicates that you've returned a ballot. I am a resident of King County or Pierce County, and will vote at my polling place. What ID to I need to bring with me to the polls?
|