Frequently Asked Questions

Washington is a vote by mail state; there are no traditional polling places.  Ballots are mailed to the voter's residence or mailing address; this allows voters approximately two weeks to vote and return ballots.

• Ballots are mailed to the address on file for all active Washington State registered voters.  Ballots are mailed no later than 18 days prior to Election Day. Allow 3-5 days for postal delivery of ballots.
• Members of the military, overseas voters, "Snowbirds", students, etc. are encouraged to go online to ensure the Elections Office has their most current mailing address.
• Military/dependent/overseas voters are currently eligible to receive ballots by email.

Online voting is not available in WA.  Voters may go online to obtain and print a ballot, but there is no way to cast a vote online.

• Military and overseas voters' ballots are mailed not later than 45 days before an election.
• Standard ballots are mailed not later than 18 days before an election.

• You may receive an updated ballot because your residential address or name changed after the initial ballot mailing. This can happen when you interact with the Department of Licensing for drivers' licensing services or if you go online to update your voter information after the ballots have been printed/mailed.
• If you receive two ballots, please open both packets. One should have an insert indicating that it is a "Replacement/Reissued Ballot." Please vote and return the replacement/reissued ballot. It has the correct races and precinct information for your new address.
• If you vote the initial ballot and return it, the elections office will simply hold it and wait to see if you vote the other ballot. If the replacement ballot isn't received, your initial ballot will be counted.
• Only one ballot will be counted.  The other ballot will be suspended.

• A "Primary Only Voter" is a 17-year-old, who will be 18 years old on or before the November General Election.
• In Washington, registered Primary Only Voters may vote in the Primary Election for offices on the General Election ballot.
• The ballots issued to Primary Only Voters contain only the eligible offices.
• Primary Only Voters are not permitted to vote on any contest where the final decision is made in the Primary Election (i.e. propositions, PCO races, etc.).
• Ballots issued to Primary Only Voters will contain only the office in which they are eligible to vote.

• By Mail – Ballots may be returned, postage pre-paid through the US Postal Service.
• By Drop Box – Ballots can be returned to any official ballot drop box in Washington State.  Ballots deposited in other counties' drop boxes are forwarded to the county where the voter is registered.
• Military/dependent/overseas voters may return their voted ballots electronically.

• An Accessible Voting Unit is available in the Auditor's Elections Office, 400 N Main St., Coupeville, during regular business hours 8:00am-4:30pm for the 18 days prior to Election Day, and 8:00am to 8:00 pm on Election Day.
• Assistance is available upon request.

• Online – Log into www.VoteWA.gov.  Once you are logged in, click on the "Online Ballot" link under the "My Ballot" header and follow the prompts to print your ballot and mailing packet.  Only one ballot per voter is counted for each election.
• By Mail – Contact the Elections Office by email at elections@islandcountywa.gov to request a replacement ballot be sent to you.  Be sure to include your resident address and mailing address, if different.
• When you are issued a replacement ballot, your original ballot will be suspended to ensure that only one ballot per voter is counted.

• Seasonal Resident – Update your seasonal address with our office.  Email us the first and last days you'll receive mail at your address away and we will send your ballot to that address each year between the dates you specify.
• Out of town and can't receive mail – You can access a ballot online at www.VoteWA.gov.   All you will need is access to the internet and a printer to print your ballot and return it to our office.
• Leaving town and can't receive your ballot by mail or email – If you know you'll be out of town and can't receive mail or email 90 days before an election, contact us and we can issue a special absentee ballot to you.

• All WA State Elections end promptly at 8:00pm on Election Day.
• Ballot Drop boxes – Drop boxes close promptly at 8:00 pm on Election Day
• Postal Mail – Ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day.  Voters are encouraged to vote early.  The USPS recommends voters return their ballots via mail a week before Election Day.  Voters mailing within less than a week of Election Day should note mailbox collection times, or use an official ballot drop box.
• If mailing on Election Day, take your ballot inside, have the date hand stamped by the postal employee.  Ballots placed in USPS boxes after the last pick up of the day will be postmarked the next day and will be late.

Voters can go online to www.VoteWA.gov. Log in by providing the requested information, click on the link "Ballot Status" under the "My Ballot" header.  When we receive your ballot, your status will show as "Received".

Voters can go online to www.VoteWA.gov. Log in by providing the requested information, click on the link "Ballot Status".  When we have verified your signature and processed your ballot for counting, your status will show as "Accepted".

• The letter will explain the issue:  missing signature or a signature that does not match your voter registration.
• There is a form on the back of the letter for you to sign and return to correct the problem so your ballot can be counted.
• The letter explains that our office must receive the signed form prior to certification of the election and gives you the deadline for returning the signed form.  We advise voters to sign and return the letter right away.