FAQ 2020

FAQ 2020

15 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTING IN WASHINGTON STATE

 

The League of Women Voters of the Spokane Area

 

 

 

 

 

 

VOTING IN WASHINGTON STATE

 

 What qualifications must be met to register to vote in Washington State?

 You must:

  • Be a citizen of the United States;
  • Be a legal resident of Washington State;
  • Be at least 18 years old by Election Day;
  • Not be disqualified from voting due to a court order; and
  • Not be under Department of Corrections supervision for a Washington felony conviction.  Back

 

How do I register to vote? 

  • You can register to vote (1) online or (2) by completing a paper voter registration form. If you have questions about either, go online to the Spokane County Elections Office; or call them at 509-477-2320.
    • Online:  You can register to vote online at Votewa.gov.  You will need a Driver’s License or Washington State ID to complete the online form.
    • Paper Form:  You can complete a paper voter registration form. Forms are available at the Spokane County Elections Office, 1033 W Gardiner Ave, Spokane WA; and at Center Place, 2426 N Discovery Pl. Spokane Valley.
    • Forms are also available in multiple languages for printing on the WA Secretary of State website.
    • You must have the last four digits of your Social Security number, Driver’s License number or Washington State ID to complete the paper form.
    • Completed forms can be dropped off at the above sites or can be mailed in.  Back

 

What are the voter registration deadlines in Washington State? 

  • You can register by mail or online up to 8 days prior to Election Day.
  • You can register in person or update registration information up to 8 pm on Election Day at either the Spokane County Elections Office (1033 W Gardiner Ave, Spokane, WA) or at Center Place (2426 N Discovery Pl, Spokane Valley, WA).  Back

Does Washington State have automatic voter registration?

  • Eligible citizens in Washington State can automatically register to vote or update their registration when applying for, or renewing, an Enhanced Washington Driver’s License or Identification card. Individuals can opt out of this automatic registration.
  • Eligible citizens in Washington State can automatically register to vote when applying to the Washington Health Benefit Exchange and certain other state agencies. Citizens may opt out of this registration process.  Back

When registering to vote, what is the difference between the residential vs mailing address? 

  • Residential Address:
    • Your residential address determines what races and issues are on your ballot.
    • Your residential address is generally where you live.
    • It may be the place you consider ‘home’ (college students may use their parents’ address as their residential address, but their university address as their mailing address).
    • Mailing Address:
      • Your mailing address is where your ballot is mailed.  Back

 

How do I update my address for both residential and mailing purposes? 

  • You need to always make sure your residential and mailing addresses are current.  You can change both online at Votewa.gov.   Back

 

What if I am a college student or retiree and have a temporary home during the year? 

  • You can enter a ‘seasonal address’ when you go to Votewa.gov, or a ‘mailing address’ on the paper voter registration form.  The seasonal address is where you receive your election materials at a different address for a set length of time.  Back

 

Can I preregister to vote if I am not 18 years old? 

  • In Washington State, if you are a 16-or 17-year-old citizen, you can pre-register to vote.  When you turn 18 by the next election, you will receive a ballot. Future Voter is a special website for young voters.  Back

 

Can I register to vote if I have been convicted of a felony? 

  • If you were convicted of a felony in a Washington State court, your right to vote is restored unless you are currently under the authority of the Department of Corrections (in prison or under community custody). If you have questions about whether you are under community custody, call DOC at (800) 430-9674.
  • If you were convicted of a felony in another state or in federal court, your right to vote is restored as long as you are not currently incarcerated for that felony.
  • Once your right to vote is restored, you must re-register in order to receive a ballot.  You can re-register online with VoteWA, by mail, or in person.
  • You do not lose the right to vote for a misdemeanor conviction or a conviction in juvenile court.  Back

 

Can I register to vote if I am homeless? 

  • You can register to vote, even if you are homeless.  The following is how to fill out your residential and mailing address on your voter registration form:
    • Residential:  Where you sleep at night.  For example: “Under the Monroe Street Bridge, Spokane, WA.”   “Near the intersection of 4th Ave and Browne St., Spokane, WA.”
    • Mailing Address:  A location where you receive your mail.  Examples include the most convenient Post Office location where you receive general delivery mail or the Union Gospel Mission.  This is the address where you will receive your ballot.  Back

 

What are the voting deadlines in Washington State? 

  • Ballots must be postmarked or deposited in conveniently located ballot boxes no later than 8:00pm on Election Day.  All ballots have been prepaid – no stamps are required if mailed.
  • Ballots can be dropped off on or before Election Day at one of the Voter Service Centers (Spokane County Elections Office, 1033 W Gardiner Ave, Spokane WA; Center Place, 2426 N Discovery Pl. Spokane Valley, WA)
  • For locations of ballot boxes or Voter Service Centers, information about Accessible Voting Units, or other questions about casting our ballot, contact the Spokane County Elections Office at 509-477-2320 or go to the Spokane County Elections Office website.  Back

 

How do I fill out my mail-in ballot? 

  • Your ballot will arrive approximately two to three weeks before an election.
  • Read all the instructions on how to properly fill out your ballot.
  • You do not have to complete the entire ballot for it to be valid.
    • If you are unsure about a race or issue, you do not have to vote.  Do pick at least one race or initiative or referendum that interests you and vote.
    • Put your ballot into the yellow security envelope.  Put the yellow envelope into the white mailing envelope. 
    • DO NOT FORGET TO SIGN THE WHITE MAILING ENVELOPE.  Every signature is checked when received at the Voting Service Center and compared to your official signature on your Driver’s License or State ID Card. 
    • It is a felony for someone else to fill out your ballot.
    • Mail your ballot in the envelope with prepaid postage or drop it off at ballot boxes or Voter Service Centers no later than 8:00pm on Election Day.  Back

 

 Where can I get information about candidates and other ballot issues specific to my voting district? 

You can find details about your current local election by going to the:

 

Why are primary elections critical?

  • Primary elections are as important – or even more important – than the General Election since they determine which candidates advance to two-person races in the General Election held in November.   In crowded races with many candidates, your vote helps to make sure your candidate is on the ballot in the General Election.   Back

 

Does my vote really count? Really?

  • In addition to telling ourselves that Primaries don’t matter, or that the ballot is overwhelming, we might also assume that our one vote doesn’t matter.  There are many instances in both large and small races across the country where votes are tied.  The following is just one example that happened just a year ago in Spokane County:   Back

 

To break a 78-78 tie between two Fairfield Town Council candidates, Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton used two balls, each marked with a number assigned to a candidate. They were placed in a small milk bottle and then shaken. The ball that came out first marked candidate Steven Walk the winner over challenger Dave Watling, Mon., Dec. 9, 2019, at the Spokane County Elections Office.   Back