Happy Election Day. Washington voters hoisted a big ballot this summer, expressing their choices for a brand new governor and attorney general as well as insurance and lands commissioners. Two congressional seats are wide open – on the coast and around Spokane – and at least three other Congressional Districts have competitive races this primary election.
Just after 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, county elections offices will share what they’ve tallied from ballots received so far. But some races won’t be decided for a few days. Then Washington will be one step closer to hiring its first new governor in a dozen years.
Also at stake: every seat in the Washington House and about half of the state Senate. Plus, Seattle voters are choosing a city-wide councilmember to serve a one-year term. The top two finishers in Washington’s primary election races will advance to the November General Election, no matter their party.
Cascade PBS is following all these races and will post the first batch of results as soon after 8 p.m. as we can, as well as publishing breaking news about some of the biggest races. County officials will keep counting ballots in the days and weeks to come.
How to vote
It’s not too late to drop your ballot in a county drop box, but elections officials recommend against using post boxes on Election Day because there’s no guarantee those ballots will be postmarked on time.
Even if you do not have a ballot in hand, it’s not too late to vote today, as Washington has same-day voter registration. You’ll need to get to a county elections office or voting center to register and vote in person.
If you’re already registered and just lost your ballot or your dog ate it, you can visit that same elections office in person to get a replacement ballot, or you may be able to print one online. Your county elections office will tell you on their online portal.
The Secretary of State’s office answers other voting questions on its website. And the Cascade PBS Statewide Voter Guide has a handy Q&A as well. The voter guide is a good source of information if you’re still filling out your ballot. In addition to information about nearly every candidate statewide, the guide also includes links to stories about the races.
A few more links to help you with your ballot
Statewide
Governor: With Inslee out, candidates are lining up for Washington governor
Attorney General: What is an attorney general? They’re more attorney than general
Public Lands Commissioner: WA public lands commissioner race attracts unusually crowded field
OSPI: Hotly contended race for WA superintendent of public schools
Secretary of State: Election cybersecurity top of mind in WA secretary of state race
Insurance Commissioner: What does the WA insurance commissioner do?
Supreme Court: Four candidates are vying to fill open Supreme Court seat
Congress
3rd District: Gluesenkamp Perez faces MAGA rematch for U.S. House in rural WA
4th District: In Central WA, 4th District race heats up in conservative showdown
5th District: Spokane-area 5th District race wide open with McMorris Rodgers out
6th District: Competitive field for open U.S. House seat in WA’s 6th District
Seattle
City Council: How Seattle council candidates differ on crime, taxes, homelessness