Washington
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Federal Election Deadlines
| Registration | Received by** August 6, 2024 | Received by** November 5, 2024 |
| Ballot Request | Not Required | Not Required |
| Ballot Return | Return by Mail: Postmarked by August 6, 2024 Return by Email/Online or Fax: Received by 8 PM PT, August 6, 2024 | Return by Mail: Postmarked by November 5, 2024 Return by Email/Online or Fax: Received by 8 PM PT, November 5, 2024 |
** Registration: Voter registration updates for voters already registered must be received by 8 days before Election Day.
Please mail your voting materials early enough to account for mail delivery times. Check the recommended mailing dates section in Chapter 1 for details.
Important information
- What is UOCAVA?
-
The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act is commonly referred to as UOCAVA. UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, the Merchant Marine, the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, their eligible family members and other U.S. citizens residing outside the United States. The law provides the legal basis for absentee voting requirements for federal offices.
- What is the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)?
-
The FPCA (Federal Standard Form 76) allows UOCAVA citizens to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. This form is also used to update your contact information.
- What is the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)?
-
The FWAB (Federal Standard Form 186) serves as an emergency backup ballot for UOCAVA citizens. If you do not receive your absentee ballot from your state in time to return it to your election official to participate in the election, use the FWAB.
- What is the DoD Fax Service?
-
The DoD Fax Service is for those voters who cannot send their election materials directly to their election officials. To fax your election materials, use the "Transmission Cover Sheet" found in Chapter 1 or online at FVAP.gov and fax to: (703) 693-5527, DSN 223-5527 or toll-free from the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to 1-800-368-8683 or check FVAP.gov for international fax numbers. If you need to send your election materials to your election official by fax, but do not have access to a fax machine, you can email them to fax@fvap.gov and FVAP will fax your election materials for you. This service is fax only. If your state accepts your election materials by email you should email them directly to your election official. FVAP will not transmit email-to-email transactions.
- What is the Prepaid Mail Label 11- DoD?
-
Overseas Uniformed Service members can use this label for general election absentee ballots. It provides free express mail service to your election official for general election absentee ballots. You can request to have a Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to your absentee ballot at Military Postal Office locations (APO/FPO). Keep part of the tracking label to track your absentee ballot through the U.S. Postal Service.
- What is a primary election?
-
A primary election is an election held before the general election to determine the candidates that can be placed on the general election ballot.
- I am an American citizen, but I have never lived in the U.S., can I vote in this state?
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A U.S. citizen who has never resided in the U.S., and has a family member who was last domiciled in Washington, is eligible to vote in Washington.
- I am a National Guardsman activated on state orders; does my state afford me UOCAVA privileges?
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No.
- How can I check the status of my ballot?
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You can check the status of your absentee ballot here:
https://www.votewa.gov - Does my state have any online tools?
-
You can see if your state has any online tools available here:
https://www.fvap.gov/washington
Registering and requesting your absentee ballot
Under federal law, the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) registers you to vote and requests absentee ballots for a minimum of all federal elections in the current calendar year. Be sure to complete a new FPCA each year and every time your address changes.
Complete the following sections of the FPCA
| Section 1 |
Select the category that best describes you. |
| Section 2 |
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence. |
| Section 3 |
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information. |
| Section 4 |
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to. receive your absentee ballot by email or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number. |
| Section 5 |
A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax". |
| Section 6 |
Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots. |
| Section 7 |
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required. |
- Section 1
-
Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required. - Section 2
-
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.
- Section 3
-
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.
- Section 4
-
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FPCA. If you want to. receive your absentee ballot by email or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number.
- Section 5
-
A. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax".
B. Political party is not required. - Section 6
-
Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots.
- Section 7
-
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.
How and where to submit your FPCA
You can submit the FPCA by mail, email, or fax. Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.
Mail your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Mail your FPCA directly to your election official.
Email your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Scan the signed FPCA into your computer. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet". Email this package directly to your election official.
Fax your FPCA: Once your FPCA is complete, sign and date the form. Fax your FPCA directly to your election official. Be sure to also include the "Transmission Cover Sheet".
To find out the status of your FPCA, contact your election official. Your election official will contact you if your FPCA is not accepted.
Voting your ballot
Once you receive your absentee ballot from your state it must be returned according to the deadlines and requirements in the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart. For special federal elections, visit FVAP.gov for specific deadlines.
You can submit the state absentee ballot by mail, email, or fax.
Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section.
Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section.
Haven't received your ballot? Use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) can be used to register to vote. If you are using the FWAB to register to vote, it must be received by the registration deadline listed in the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart.
You can use the FWAB to vote in federal, state and local elections, including ballot measures.
Complete the following sections of the FWAB's voter information page
| Section 1 |
Select the category that best describes you. |
| Section 2 |
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence. |
| Section 3 |
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information. |
| Section 4 |
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number. |
| Section 5 |
A. Check "Yes" if you would like to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot, otherwise check "No." |
| Section 6 |
Provide any information that may assist the election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots. |
| Section 7 |
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required. |
- Section 1
-
Select the category that best describes you.
Enter your current name (Last, First). If you are registered under a different name, provide this information in the previous name area.
Your date of birth is required. - Section 2
-
Enter the complete street address of your voting residence where you are registering to vote and requesting an absentee ballot. You cannot use a post office box mailing address. If your address is a rural route, use Section 6 to describe the location of your voting residence.
- Section 3
-
Enter your current mailing address, even if you are requesting your ballot by email or fax. If you want your election materials sent to a different address or have a forwarding address, use the forwarding address space to provide this information.
- Section 4
-
Your contact information is recommended so your election official can contact you if they need additional information from you in order to accept your FWAB. If you want to receive your absentee ballot by email or fax, you must provide your email address or fax number.
- Section 5
-
A. Check "Yes" if you would like to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot, otherwise check "No."
B. Select your preferred method of receiving your absentee ballot. You can choose to receive your absentee ballot by "mail", "email or online", or "fax".
C. Political party is not required. - Section 6
-
Provide any information that may assist the election official in accepting this form. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots.
- Section 7
-
Sign and date the form. No witness signature required.
Vote your FWAB
To vote, write in either a candidate's name or political party for each office. You are not required to make a selection for each and every contest.
How and where to submit your FWAB
You can submit the FWAB by mail, email, or fax. Contact information can be found in the "Local Election Offices" section or online at FVAP.gov.
Mail your FWAB: Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Fold along the dotted line and seal the completed "Official Backup Ballot", do not write on the "Official Ballot" envelope. Insert the sealed "Official Ballot" envelope and the "Voter Information" page into the mailing envelope and mail your FWAB directly to your election official.
Overseas Uniformed Service members can request to have the Prepaid Mail Label 11-DoD applied to the general election ballot. Additional information about this label can be found in the "Important Information" section or online at FVAP.gov.
Email your FWAB: Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Scan the signed "Voter Information" page, the "Official Backup Ballot" and the "Transmission Cover Sheet", found at the end of Chapter 1 or online at FVAP.gov, into your computer. Be sure to also sign the secrecy waiver on the "Transmission Cover Sheet". Email this ballot package directly to your election official.
Fax your FWAB: Once your FWAB is complete, sign and date the "Voter Information" page. Fax the signed "Voter Information" page, the "Official Backup Ballot" and the "Transmission Cover Sheet", found at the end of Chapter 1 or online at FVAP.gov, directly to your election official. Be sure to also sign the secrecy waiver on the "Transmission Cover Sheet".
See the "Federal Election Deadlines" chart for the deadline for submitting the FWAB. If you receive the state absentee ballot after transmitting your voted FWAB, you may also vote and return the state absentee ballot. If both are received by the deadline, only the state absentee ballot will be counted.
Local election offices for countySearch Offices
| County | Mailing Address |
|---|---|
| Asotin | Asotin County Auditor P.O. Box 129 Asotin, WA 99402-0129 Phone: (509) 243-2084 Fax: (509) 243-2087 Email: dmckay@co.asotin.wa.us |
| Benton | Benton County Auditor P.O. Box 1000 Richland, WA 99352-1000 Phone: (509) 736-3085 Fax: (509) 786-5482 Email: elections@co.benton.wa.us |
| Chelan | Chelan County Auditor 350 Orondo Ave STE 306 Wenatchee, WA 98801-0400 Phone: (509) 667-6808 Fax: (509) 667-6818 Email: elections@co.chelan.wa.us |
| Clallam | Clallam County Auditor 223 E. 4th St, Ste 1 Port Angeles, WA 98362-3000 Phone: (360) 417-2221 Fax: (360) 417-2312 Email: elections@clallamcountywa.gov |
| Clark | Clark County Auditor P.O. Box 8815 Vancouver, WA 98666-8815 Phone: (564) 397-2345 Fax: (564) 397-2394 Email: elections@clark.wa.gov |
| Columbia | Columbia County Auditor (Not Washington D.C.) 341 E Main St, Ste 3 Dayton, WA 99328-1361 Phone: (509) 382-4541 Fax: (509) 382-4830 Email: auditor_elections@co.columbia.wa.us |
| Cowlitz | Cowlitz County Auditor 207 N 4th Ave, Room 205 Kelso, WA 98626-4124 Phone: (360) 577-3005 Fax: (360) 442-7879 Email: elections@cowlitzwa.gov |
| Douglas | Douglas County Auditor P.O. Box 853 Waterville, WA 98858-0853 Phone: (509) 888-6402 Fax: (509) 745-8931 Email: elections@co.douglas.wa.us |
| Ferry | Ferry County Auditor 350 E Delaware Ave, #2 Republic, WA 99166-9747 Phone: (509) 775-5225 x1139 Fax: (509) 775-5208 Email: delections@co.ferry.wa.us |
| Franklin | Franklin County Auditor P.O. Box 1451 Pasco, WA 99301-1451 Phone: (509) 545-3538 Fax: (509) 543-2995 Email: elections@franklincountywa.gov |
| Garfield | Garfield County Auditor P.O. Box 278 Pomeroy, WA 99347-0278 Phone: (509) 843-1411 Fax: (509) 843-3941 Email: mlueck@co.garfield.wa.us |
| Grant | Grant County Auditor P.O. Box 37 Ephrata, WA 98823-0037 Phone: (509) 754-2011 x2706 Fax: (509) 982-1303 Email: elections@grantcountywa.gov |
| Grays Harbor | Grays Harbor County Auditor 100 W Broadway, Ste 2 Montesano, WA 98563-3614 Phone: (360) 249-4232 Fax: (360) 249-3330 Email: elections@graysharbor.us |
| Island | Island County Auditor P.O. Box 1410 Coupeville, WA 98239-1410 Phone: (360) 678-8290 Fax: (360) 678-2326 Email: elections@islandcountywa.gov |
| Jefferson | Jefferson County Auditor P.O. Box 563 Port Townsend, WA 98368-0563 Phone: (360) 385-9119 Fax: (360) 385-9228 Email: elections@co.jefferson.wa.us |
| King | King County Elections 919 SW Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 Phone: (206) 296-8683 Fax: (206) 296-0108 Email: elections@kingcounty.gov |
| Kitsap | Kitsap County Auditor 619 Division St Port Orchard, WA 98366-4678 Phone: (360) 337-7128 Fax: (360) 337-5769 Email: auditor@kitsap.gov |
| Kittitas | Kittitas County Auditor 205 W 5th Ave, Ste 105 Ellensburg, WA 98926-2891 Phone: (509) 962-7503 Fax: (509) 962-7687 Email: elections@co.kittitas.wa.us |
| Klickitat | Klickitat County Auditor 205 S. Columbus Ave., Room 203 Goldendale, WA 98620-9280 Phone: (509) 773-4001 Fax: (509) 773-4244 Email: voting@klickitatcounty.org |
| Lewis | Lewis County Auditor P.O. Box 29 Chehalis, WA 98532-0029 Phone: (360) 740-1164 Fax: (360) 740-1421 Email: elections@lewiscountywa.gov |
| Lincoln | Lincoln County Auditor P.O. Box 28 Davenport, WA 99122-0028 Phone: (509) 725-4971 Fax: (509) 725-0820 Email: elections@co.lincoln.wa.us |
| Mason | Mason County Auditor P.O. Box 400 Shelton, WA 98584-0400 Phone: (360) 427-9670 x469 Fax: (360) 427-7768 Email: elections@masoncountywa.gov |
| Okanogan | Okanogan County Auditor P.O. Box 1010 Okanogan, WA 98840-1010 Phone: (509) 422-7240 Fax: (509) 422-7163 Email: elections@co.okanogan.wa.us |
| Pacific | Pacific County Auditor P.O. Box 97 South Bend, WA 98586-0097 Phone: (360) 875-9317 Fax: (360) 875-9333 Email: elections@co.pacific.wa.us |
| Pend Oreille | Pend Oreille County Auditor P.O. Box 5015 Newport, WA 99156-5015 Phone: (509) 447-6472 Fax: (509) 447-2475 Email: elections@pendoreille.org |
| Pierce | Pierce County Auditor 2501 S 35th St, Ste C Tacoma, WA 98409-7484 Phone: (253) 798-8683 Fax: (253) 798-2761 Email: elections@piercecountywa.gov |
| San Juan | San Juan County Auditor P.O. Box 638 Friday Harbor, WA 98250-0638 Phone: (360) 378-3357 Fax: (360) 378-8856 Email: elections@sanjuanco.com |
| Skagit | Skagit County Auditor P.O. Box 1306 Mt. Vernon, WA 98273-1306 Phone: (360) 416-1702 Fax: (360) 416-1699 Email: scelections@co.skagit.wa.us |
| Skamania | Skamania County Auditor P.O. Box 790 Stevenson, WA 98648-0790 Phone: (509) 427-3730 Fax: (509) 427-3740 Email: elections@co.skamania.wa.us |
| Snohomish | Snohomish County Auditor 3000 Rockefeller Ave. M/S 505 Everett, WA 98201-4046 Phone: (425) 388-3444 Fax: (425) 355-3444 Email: elections@snoco.org |
| Spokane | Spokane County Auditor 1033 W Gardner Ave Spokane, WA 99260-0020 Phone: (509) 477-2320 Fax: (509) 477-6607 Email: elections@spokanecounty.org |
| Stevens | Stevens County Auditor 215 S Oak St, Rm 106 Colville, WA 99114-2836 Phone: (509) 684-7514 Fax: (509) 684-7568 Email: elections@stevenscountywa.gov |
| Thurston | Thurston County Auditor 2400 Evergreen Park Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502 Olympia, WA 98502-6090 Phone: (360) 786-5408 Fax: (360) 754-4591 Email: elections@co.thurston.wa.us |
| Wahkiakum | Wahkiakum County Auditor P.O. Box 543 Cathlamet, WA 98612-0543 Phone: (360) 795-3219 Fax: (360) 795-0824 Email: elections@co.wahkiakum.wa.us |
| Walla Walla | Walla Walla County Auditor P.O. Box 1856 Walla Walla, WA 99362 Phone: (509) 524-2530 Fax: (509) 524-2553 Email: elections@co.walla-walla.wa.us |
| Whatcom | Whatcom County Auditor P.O. Box 369 Bellingham, WA 98227-0369 Phone: (360) 778-5102 Fax: (360) 778-5101 Email: elections@co.whatcom.wa.us |
| Whitman | Whitman County Auditor P.O. Box 191 Colfax, WA 99111-0191 Phone: (509) 397-5284 Fax: (509) 397-5281 Email: elections@whitmancounty.net |
| Yakima | Yakima County Auditor P.O. Box 12570 Yakima, WA 98909-2570 Phone: (509) 574-1340 Fax: (509) 574-1341 Email: ivote@co.yakima.wa.us |
