2020 Washington Presidential Primary: Mail Your Ballots By Friday

RENTON, WA — Washington's 2020 presidential primary is fast approaching, and Friday is the last day elections officials recommend voters mail their ballots to ensure enough time for a postmark by Election Day, March 10.

According to the Secretary of State, more than 1.2 million ballots had been received by Thursday night — approximately 27.1 percent of what was mailed to registered voters. Officials in King and Pierce counties are projecting 40 percent turnout by the time polls close Tuesday.

This year's primary has some notable differences from previous elections, including the requirement that each voter must fill in a party declaration box. According to elections officials, doing so does not register you with a party, but the selection is public record. Failing to check one of the party options, or any attempt to modify the language used, will make a ballot subject to rejection or challenge.

Elections officials said the party choice requirement is unique to this primary and will not be used during the general election. The language used in the declarations were written by the state political parties.

The other major change to be aware of this year: for the first time, the state Democratic party is using the results from the primary to assign its delegates for the national convention. In prior elections, Washington democrats relied on the caucus system.

More than a dozen Democrats appear on this year's ballots in Washington, but some notable candidates recently dropped out of the race, including Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Mike Bloomberg.

Republicans have just one choice listed for 2020: President Donald Trump.

Those who can't make it to their mailboxes by Friday can still drop their ballots in one of the dozens of drop boxes placed throughout the state. Voters who still need to register can do so in-person until 8 p.m. March 10.

The first round of results are expected by 8:15 p.m. on election night, and the early returns will not include ballots postmarked or dropped off on March 10. State and county elections officials will update their vote totals daily until the election's certification on March 10.

Find answers to frequently asked questions on the Secretary of State's website.

To be eligible to vote, 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
• Not disqualified from voting due to a court order

King County Voting Links:

Check your voter registration status online.
Review a sample ballot for the March 10 primary.
Find an election center or the nearest ballot dropbox.

Pierce County Voting Links:

Check your voter registration status online.
Review instructions for voting in the March 10 primary.
Find your nearest ballot dropbox.

Snohomish County Voting Links:

Check your voter registration status online.
Review a sample ballot for the March 10 primary.
Find accessible voting locations or the nearest ballot dropbox.