Voter Registration
Registering to vote in King County
Registration requirements
To register to vote in the state of Washington, you must be:
- A citizen of the United States
- A legal resident of Washington state
- At least 18 years old by election day
- Not under the authority of the Department of Corrections
In the state of Washington, you do not have to register by political party or declare political party membership to vote in the state's regular primaries or general elections.
Registration form
Register online, 24-hours a day by visiting the Secretary of State's web site https://wei.secstate.wa.gov/osos/secure/pages/Onlinevoterregistration.aspx
Or download and print voter registration forms.
Choose your language:
Voter registration forms are also available at:
Registration deadlines
To be eligible to vote, you must be registered to vote at least 29 days in advance of an election. If registering by mail, your application must be postmarked by the 29-day cutoff or it will not become effective until after the election.
If you are not registered in Washington, you can register in person at the King County Elections Office up to eight days before the election.
Have I registered in time for the next election?
| Date of Election |
29 day mail-in registration and address change deadline |
Eight-day registration deadline * |
| November 3, 2009 General Election |
Monday, October 5, 2009 |
Monday, October 26, 2009 |
* People not currently registered in the State of Washington have until 8 days before the election
Moving and/or changing your name within King County
If you are a current registered voter and have moved or changed your name, you need to notify our office.
If you have a name change, you can complete a voter registration form (external link), or you can write or FAX the following information:
- Prior registered name/new name
- Date of birth
- Voter registration number (if known)
- Residence address
- Mailing address (if different)
- Former signature/new signature
- Daytime and nighttime phone number
If you have moved from one address in King County to another address in King County, you can call us at 206-296-VOTE (8683) to report your new address, complete a
voter registration form (external link), or
write or FAX us the following information:
- Registered name
- Date of birth
- Voter registration number (if known)
- Prior address/new address
- Mailing address (if different)
- Signature
- Daytime and nighttime phone number
To be eligible to vote in your new precinct or under your new name, you must change your record no later than 30 days prior to the election.
Moving from one county to another within Washington State
If you move between counties in Washington, you must complete a voter registration form (external link) or if you have a Washington State driver’s license or ID card you may fill out an online form (external link). To be eligible to vote in your new precinct, you must change your Washington State registration no later than 29 days prior to the election.
Moving out of state
You must re-register to vote in your new state. Please help keep our voter rolls current and also print, complete, and mail a cancellation form to ensure your King County voter registration is canceled.
Mailing address vs. residential address
As a voter, the residential address you provide determines the issues and candidates that you can vote on. However, you can receive your elections mail at any valid mailing location you choose: a post office box, personal mailbox, college mailbox, or a military or out of state/country address. All elections-related materials, including your ballot, will be sent to the mailing address you provide.
Non-traditional residential addresses/homeless voters
The Washington Constitution doesn’t require a "residence" as a condition of voting as long as a person meets all other registration requirements. (Article VI Section1)
Voters who lack a traditional residential address can register at the shelter, park, motor home, intersection or other identifiable location they consider their residence. This location will be used to determine which precinct they will vote in. (RCW 29A.08.112 effective 2005)
Along with your residential address, you must also provide a valid mailing address. An accurate, valid mailing address is essential in order to receive ballots and election information on time. This can include a post office box, address of a friend or relative, shelter, or general delivery at a local post office.
Address confidentiality program
The Address Confidentiality Program assists crime victims (specifically victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking) who have relocated to avoid further abuse. It helps participants keep their home, work and/or school address secret by providing a substitute mailing address. It also allows clients to register to vote or apply for a marriage license without revealing their actual address.
To participate or learn more about the Address Confidentiality Program, please visit http://www.secstate.wa.gov/acp/ or call (800) 822-1065 (in Washington only).
Registration cancellation
Your registration will be cancelled if you notify us of a move out of the county or if you no longer wish to be a registered voter. Print and sign a cancellation form (PDF).
Report a deceased voter
If a voter is deceased, another registered voter may fill out a death card to cancel the registration. Print and sign a deceased voter cancellation form (PDF).
Felon voter restoration
A person convicted of a felony in a Washington State Court has his or her right to vote automatically restored when he or she ceases to be under the authority of the Department of Corrections. If a person fails to repay legal financial obligations in a timely manner, the Prosecutor can bring an action in Superior Court to re-revoke the right to vote.
