Election Day In WA: Here's What Last-Minute Voters Need To Know

SEATTLE — Washington's nearly 4.8 million registered voters have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to weigh in on federal, state and local races and a few local ballot measures.

Elections officials recommended voters mail ballots back no later than Friday to ensure an on-time postmark, so the best bet Tuesday is to visit one of the dozens of drop boxes around the region or an in-person voting center. Residents who still need to register can do so in person up until the polls close, and all drop boxes close promptly at 8 p.m.

Early voter precipitation has lagged compared to the 2018 midterms, with just 39 percent of ballots marked returned across the state by Monday. Typically in Washington, more than half of the ballots cast over the 18-day voting period are returned in the final two days of the election. The Secretary of State's office is projecting 72 percent of voters will participate this year.

Looking at federal races, Sen. Patty Murray is seeking a sixth term in the U.S. Senate and faces a strong challenge from Republican Tiffany Smiley. Several Democratic members of the U.S. House are also up for election this year, including Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Suzan DelBene, Kim Schrier, Derek Kilmer, Marilyn Strickland and Adam Smith.

Schrier's 8th District race is one that will be closely watched as she attempts to hold onto her seat against Republican challenger Matt Larkin to secure a third term. Strickland, the former mayor of Tacoma, is running for re-election for the first time, having secured her seat back in 2020. Derek Kilmer has held the 6th congressional district since 2013.

Another key race is for the Secretary of State, Washington's head of elections and the second in the line of succession for governor. Longtime Republican incumbent Kim Wyman stepped down late last year to accept an appointment in the Biden administration, and Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Democratic state Sen. Steve Hobbs to fill the role.

Hobbs is on the ballot seeking a full term, facing a challenge from Julie Anderson, the current Pierce County Auditor, who is running as a nonpartisan. Recent polls showed voters evenly split between the two candidates, with plenty still undecided.

Most communities will also see state legislators on the ballot, and voters in some areas will see local ballot measures. This year, there are no statewide ballot initiatives.

Seattle voters will decide whether to move forward with either of two proposed voting systems, ranked choice or approval, and King County will decide whether to move elections for county-level offices to even years. King County also has a conservation levy on the November ballot.

The first round of results will be available by 8:15 p.m. and statewide percentages will continue to change over the next few days as later ballots are counted and added to the tally each afternoon.

Here are a few resources for voting on Election Day:

King County

• Learn more about this election's candidates and ballot measures.
• Make sure you're registered and learn where to return your ballot.
• Find an accessible voting center or 24-hour drop box.
• Track your ballot online.

Pierce County

• Drop Box Locations
• Where To Vote In Person
• Track Your Ballot
• Online Voters' Guide
• Election At-A-Glance