Washington

All registered Washington voters will automatically receive a mail-in ballot before each election.

If you choose to vote in person, you must confirm your identity. There are several forms of identification you can use.

Is out-of-state ID accepted?

Yes!
You can use an ID issued by another state

Is student ID accepted?

Yes!
You can use a student photo ID

Is an expired ID accepted?

No!
Your ID must be unexpired or show no expiration date

Learn About Voting In Person
Learn About Voting By Mail
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Washington ID Requirements for Voting In Person

ACCEPTABLE ID

Your signature on ballot declaration or provisional ballot must match voter registration record, or you must provide photo ID such as:
  • Driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • Student ID card
  • Tribal ID card
  • Employer ID card
  • US Passport
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Frequently Asked Questions

Registered voters in Washington must confirm their identity by either signing a ballot declaration or providing valid photo identification if they choose to vote in person.

If you are a registered voter but do not present an acceptable photo ID at the polling place, you may cast a provisional ballot.

Your signature on the ballot declaration must match the signature on your voter registration record in order for your ballot to be counted.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

You do not need a “REAL ID” (called an Enhanced Driver License or Enhanced State ID) to vote in Washington.

Your license or state ID card will show a star in the upper corner if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

You may register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day, during any early voting period  through Election Day, at your county auditor’s office or division of elections (if in a separate city from the county auditor’s office), local voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor. You must show an acceptable ID.

No. An ID displayed on an electronic device is unacceptable.

Washington ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

All registered Washington voters will automatically receive a mail-in ballot before each election. 

You do not need to provide ID when you vote by mail in Washington.

BUT: If it is your first time voting in a federal election in Washington, please see the federal ID requirements for first-time voters. A federal election is when you vote for the President, your Congressional Representative or your Senators.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, but the signature on your mail-in ballot must match your signature on file with the state.

Learn more about federal ID requirements for first-time voters.

The auditor will notify you by first-class mail, including directions as to how to “cure” (fix) your ballot, if:

  • you do not sign your ballot declaration,
  • you sign with a mark but your ballot fails to include the two witnesses who swear to your signature, or
  • your signature on the ballot does not match the signature in your voter registration file.

If your ballot has not been received by three business days before the final meeting of the canvassing board, or if you have not responded to the first-class mail notification, then the auditor will attempt to notify you by phone.

If you do not sign your ballot declaration or if you sign with a mark but your ballot fails to include the two witnesses who swear to your signature, no later than the day before election certification: (1) you must either appear in person and sign the declaration or  2) your correctly signed ballot must be returned to the auditor.

If your signature on the ballot does not match that in your voter registration file, no later than the day before election certification you must either: (1) appear in person and sign a new registration form or (2) sign a signature update form and return it to the auditor.

Election certification occurs 21 days after the general election; there are other deadlines for election certification for primary elections, presidential primary elections, and special elections.

WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE