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Voting in your state

Voting in Washington, 2026

Every date and deadline for the November 3 general election, from registering to the final certificate, and who signs off on the result.

Right nowEarly voting is open in Washington through Monday, November 2.Election Day in 7 days

Every date, in order

  1. Fri, Oct 16 · passed
    Early voting begins
  2. Tue, Nov 3 · 7 days
    Election Day; Registration deadline
    Voters can register in person through Election Day, and mail and online registrations must be received by Monday October 26, 2026.1
  3. Mon, Nov 23 · 27 days
    Mail ballots must arrive
    Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day count if received by Monday November 23, 2026, and drop box ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Election Day.2
  4. Tue, Nov 24 · 28 days
    County/Local canvass; County/Local certification
    Counties canvass no later than 21 days after the election, November 24.3
  5. Thu, Dec 3 · 37 days
    State canvass; State certification
    The statewide canvass is complete no later than the 30th day after the election, December 3.3
  6. After certification
    Deadline to contest the result
    A contest must be filed no later than 10 days after the election is officially certified.4

Questions people ask about voting in Washington

Q. When does early voting end in Washington?

Early in-person voting runs from Friday, October 16, 2026 through Monday, November 2, 2026.

Q. When is the deadline to register to vote in Washington?

Voters can register in person through Election Day, and mail and online registrations must be received by Monday October 26, 2026.

Q. What is the last day to request a mail ballot in Washington?

Washington automatically sends a ballot to every registered voter, but also provides a special application for voters who are unable to receive and return a ballot during the regular absentee ballot window

Q. When does my mail ballot have to arrive in Washington?

Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day count if received by Monday November 23, 2026, and drop box ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Q. Who certifies the election in Washington, and by when?

The county canvassing board completes the county canvass 21 days after the election and sends the results to the Secretary of State. Counties must certify no later than 21 days after the election, November 24, 2026. The Secretary of State certifies the state and federal results no later than the 30th day after the election. The Secretary of State must certify the results no later than the 30th day after the election, December 3, 2026.

Q. What happens after the count in Washington, and when is there a recount?

A recount is automatic when the margin is fewer than 2,000 votes and less than one half of one percent. A candidate or party may also request one soon after the official results are declared, and pays unless the result changes.

Q. How long is there to contest an election in Washington?

A contest must be filed no later than 10 days after the election is officially certified.

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Sources

  1. vote.org, https://www.vote.org/state/washington/
  2. US Vote Foundation, Washington Election Dates and Deadlines, https://www.usvotefoundation.org/washington-election-dates-and-deadlines
  3. NCSL, Canvass Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/canvass-deadlines
  4. NCSL, Contested Election Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/contested-election-deadlines
  5. NASS, State Election Canvassing Timeframes and Recount Thresholds, https://www.nass.org/node/2455
  6. NCSL, Election Certification Deadlines, https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines

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