Community Engagement
& Leadership Education (CELE) Center

Learn More & Register


Registration Information

Rules for voter registration and voting vary by state. The information below is specific to Washington. For information about voting in another state, visit Student Vote's voting resources .

Out-of-State Students

If you are attending UW from another state, you can generally choose where you maintain your voter registration based on your voting residence. Washington provides resources for voters who are away at college.

Learn more about voting while away at college

Who is eligible to vote in Washington?

  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Be a resident of Washington state.
  • Be at least 18 years old by Election Day.
  • Not be disqualified from voting due to a court order.
  • Not currently be serving a sentence of total confinement in prison under the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Corrections for a Washington felony conviction.
  • Not currently be incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction.
Washington residency: To register to vote in Washington, you must be a Washington resident and establish a residential address in the state. Washington's voting residency requirements are separate from residency requirements for purposes such as in-state tuition. Learn more about Washington voting residency requirements.

How to Register in Washington

You can register to vote or update your registration online, by mail, or in person. Washington allows eligible voters to register or update their registration in person through 8 p.m. on Election Day. See the Washington Secretary of State's registration information.

Address Changes

If you are already registered to vote in Washington, your residential address determines where you vote and which candidates and issues appear on your ballot. Your mailing address can be different and is where your election materials and ballot are sent.

Residential Address

This is the address used to determine your voting residence, precinct, and the candidates and issues on your ballot.

Mailing Address

This is where your ballot and other election materials are sent. Your mailing address can be different from your residential address.

For example, you may use your campus address as your mailing address while maintaining a different residential address for voting purposes. The appropriate residential address depends on where you maintain your voting residence.

Important: Make sure your residential address and mailing address are entered correctly when you register or update your information. Washington allows you to use a different mailing address to receive your ballot. Learn more about residential and mailing addresses.

Pay attention to these dates to make sure you're able to vote.

Dates Deadlines
October 16 Start of Voting (WA)
October 26 Last Day to Register Online (WA)
November 3 Last Day to Register In Person (WA) Same Day Registration
November 3 Election Day

How to Return Your Ballot

Once you've completed your ballot, you can return it by official ballot drop box, by mail, or in person at the Student Engagement HUB.

Ballot Box Drop-Off

Schmitz Hall
Official King County ballot drop box
  • Official ballot drop boxes are available 24 hours a day during the voting period.
  • No postage is required.
  • Ballots placed in an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day are guaranteed to be on time.
Especially useful when returning your ballot close to Election Day.

By Mail

Campus Mail Desks
Willow Hall desk, north campus
Lander Hall desk, south campus
  • Regional desks accept outgoing mail and provide it to USPS.
  • No stamp is needed to return a Washington State ballot.
  • Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day.
  • USPS recommends mailing your ballot more than one week before Election Day.
Mailing close to Election Day? Consider using an official ballot drop box instead.

Student Engagement HUB

Husky Union Building (The HUB)
Room 145
4001 E. Stevens Way NE
  • Return your ballot in person.
  • Request a replacement ballot.
  • Update your voter registration.
  • Register to vote for the first time.
  • Use an assistive voting device.
  • Get questions answered and receive assistance from King County Elections staff.
Especially useful if you need to register or update your registration on or near Election Day.

Remember to sign your ballot envelope. King County Elections verifies the signature on your return envelope before processing your ballot. You can also check your ballot status through VoteWA after returning it.