How to Vote in Washington: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours

To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 8 days before Election Day for online and mail registration.

Washington also allows same-day registration on Election Day itself.

In-person registration stays open through 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Washington's official site.

Early voting opens ≈ October 16, 2026 — 18 days before Election Day. It runs through 8 p.m. Election Day.

Washington is an all-mail state: every active registered voter is automatically mailed a ballot, and in-person early voting sites are an alternative to mailing it back.

Every active voter is mailed a ballot.

Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Washington's official election site.

Every active registered voter in Washington is automatically mailed a ballot — no request needed.

Return rule: Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received no later than the day before certification (21 days after the election). Drop-boxed ballots must arrive by 8 p.m. Election Day.

Every active voter is mailed a ballot automatically.

Track your ballot: look up your record at Washington's voter portal to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.

Details and request forms are at Washington's official election site.

A non-photo document showing name and address (such as a utility bill or bank statement) is accepted alongside or instead of a photo ID.

Spot-checked 2026-09-17: most Washington voters vote by mail with signature verification and no ID requirement at all; a voter at an in-person voting center must sign a declaration or show ID, and accepted forms include non-photo student ID cards.

See the full list of accepted ID at Washington's official election site.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. PT on November 7, 2028.

See how Washington's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Washington's official election site.

Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:

• Local: County canvassing boards — by about November 24, 2026. Within 21 days of the election.
• Statewide: Secretary of state — December 3, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. No later than the 30th day after the election.

Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.