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Washington state executive official elections, 2020
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Washington state executive official elections |
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Election details |
Filing deadline: May 15, 2020 |
Primary: August 4, 2020 General: November 3, 2020 |
How to vote |
Poll times: Poll opening hours vary; close at 8 p.m. (most voting done by mail) Voting in Washington |
Ballotpedia analysis |
Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2020 Impact of term limits in 2020 State government trifectas and triplexes |
Other state executive elections |
Nine state executive offices were up for election in Washington in 2020:
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Commissioner of Public Lands
Treasurer
Auditor
Commissioner of Insurance
Candidates and election results
Governor
General election
General election for Governor of Washington
Incumbent Jay Inslee defeated Loren Culp in the general election for Governor of Washington on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Jay Inslee (D) | 56.6 | 2,294,243 |
![]() | Loren Culp (R) | 43.1 | 1,749,066 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 13,145 |
Total votes: 4,056,454 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Governor of Washington
The following candidates ran in the primary for Governor of Washington on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Jay Inslee (D) | 50.1 | 1,247,916 |
✔ | ![]() | Loren Culp (R) | 17.4 | 433,238 |
![]() | Joshua Freed (R) ![]() | 8.9 | 222,553 | |
![]() | Tim Eyman (R) | 6.4 | 159,495 | |
![]() | Raul Garcia (R) | 5.4 | 135,045 | |
![]() | Phil Fortunato (R) | 4.0 | 99,265 | |
![]() | Don Rivers (D) ![]() | 1.0 | 25,601 | |
Leon Lawson (Trump Republican Party) ![]() | 0.9 | 23,073 | ||
![]() | Liz Hallock (G) ![]() | 0.9 | 21,537 | |
![]() | Cairo D'Almeida (D) ![]() | 0.6 | 14,657 | |
![]() | Anton Sakharov (Trump Republican Party) | 0.6 | 13,935 | |
![]() | Nate Herzog (Pre-2016 Republican Party) ![]() | 0.5 | 11,303 | |
Gene Hart (D) | 0.4 | 10,605 | ||
Omari Tahir-Garrett (D) | 0.4 | 8,751 | ||
Ryan Ryals (Unaffiliated) ![]() | 0.3 | 6,264 | ||
![]() | Henry Dennison (Socialist Workers Party) | 0.2 | 5,970 | |
![]() | GoodSpaceGuy (Trump Republican Party) | 0.2 | 5,646 | |
![]() | Richard Carpenter (R) ![]() | 0.2 | 4,962 | |
Elaina Gonzalez (Independent) | 0.2 | 4,772 | ||
Matthew Murray (R) | 0.2 | 4,489 | ||
![]() | Thor Amundson (Independent) | 0.1 | 3,638 | |
![]() | Bill Hirt (R) | 0.1 | 2,854 | |
Martin Wheeler (R) | 0.1 | 2,686 | ||
Ian Gonzales (R) | 0.1 | 2,537 | ||
![]() | Joshua Wolf (New Liberty Party) ![]() | 0.1 | 2,315 | |
![]() | Cregan Newhouse (Unaffiliated) ![]() | 0.1 | 2,291 | |
Brian Weed (Unaffiliated) | 0.1 | 2,178 | ||
![]() | Alex Tsimerman (Standup-America Party) | 0.1 | 1,721 | |
Tylor Grow (R) | 0.1 | 1,509 | ||
![]() | Dylan Nails (Independent) ![]() | 0.1 | 1,470 | |
Craig Campbell (Unaffiliated) | 0.0 | 1,178 | ||
William Miller (American Patriot Party) | 0.0 | 1,148 | ||
Cameron Vessey (Unaffiliated) | 0.0 | 718 | ||
Winston Wilkes (Propertarianist Party) | 0.0 | 702 | ||
![]() | David Blomstrom (Fifth Republic Party) | 0.0 | 519 | |
David Voltz (Cascadia Labour Party) | 0.0 | 480 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 1,938 |
Total votes: 2,488,959 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Mathew Mackenzie (R)
- Phillip Bailey (D)
- Asa Palagi (Independent)
- Lisa Thomas (Unaffiliated)
- Matthew Heines (Unaffiliated)
Lieutenant Governor
General election
General election for Lieutenant Governor of Washington
Denny Heck defeated Marko Liias and Joshua Freed in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Washington on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Denny Heck (D) | 45.6 | 1,658,405 | |
![]() | Marko Liias (D) | 33.5 | 1,218,548 | |
![]() | Joshua Freed (R) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 20.9 | 759,076 |
Total votes: 3,636,029 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Lieutenant Governor of Washington
The following candidates ran in the primary for Lieutenant Governor of Washington on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Denny Heck (D) | 25.0 | 596,289 | |
✔ | ![]() | Marko Liias (D) | 18.5 | 441,791 |
![]() | Ann Davison (R) | 12.0 | 285,597 | |
![]() | Marty McClendon (R) | 11.4 | 271,995 | |
![]() | Dick Muri (R) | 10.1 | 241,939 | |
![]() | Michelle Jasmer (D) | 8.9 | 212,387 | |
![]() | Joseph Brumbles (R) | 7.3 | 174,823 | |
James Rafferty (D) | 2.4 | 57,405 | ||
![]() | Bill Penor (R) | 2.1 | 49,225 | |
Matt Seymour (L) | 1.1 | 27,125 | ||
![]() | Jared Frerichs (L) ![]() | 0.9 | 20,847 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 5,205 |
Total votes: 2,384,628 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- C. Mark Greene (Citizens' Party)
- Steve Hobbs (D)
- Cyrus Habib (D)
Attorney General
General election
General election for Attorney General of Washington
Incumbent Bob Ferguson defeated Matt Larkin in the general election for Attorney General of Washington on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Bob Ferguson (D) | 56.4 | 2,226,418 |
![]() | Matt Larkin (R) ![]() | 43.5 | 1,714,927 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 3,968 |
Total votes: 3,945,313 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Attorney General of Washington
Incumbent Bob Ferguson and Matt Larkin defeated Brett Rogers and Mike Vaska in the primary for Attorney General of Washington on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Bob Ferguson (D) | 55.8 | 1,356,225 |
✔ | ![]() | Matt Larkin (R) ![]() | 23.7 | 575,470 |
![]() | Brett Rogers (R) | 12.2 | 296,843 | |
![]() | Mike Vaska (R) ![]() | 8.2 | 199,826 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,372 |
Total votes: 2,430,736 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Noah Purcell (D)
- M. Lorena Gonzalez (D)
Secretary of State
General election
General election for Washington Secretary of State
Incumbent Kim Wyman defeated Gael Tarleton in the general election for Washington Secretary of State on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kim Wyman (R) | 53.6 | 2,116,141 |
![]() | Gael Tarleton (D) | 46.3 | 1,826,710 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 4,666 |
Total votes: 3,947,517 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington Secretary of State
Incumbent Kim Wyman and Gael Tarleton defeated Ed Minger and Gentry Lange in the primary for Washington Secretary of State on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Kim Wyman (R) | 50.9 | 1,238,455 |
✔ | ![]() | Gael Tarleton (D) | 43.3 | 1,053,584 |
![]() | Ed Minger (Independent) ![]() | 3.6 | 87,982 | |
Gentry Lange (Progressive Party of Washington State) | 2.1 | 51,826 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 1,919 |
Total votes: 2,433,766 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Superintendent of Public Instruction
General election
General election for Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Chris Reykdal defeated Maia Espinoza in the general election for Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Chris Reykdal (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 54.6 | 1,955,365 |
![]() | Maia Espinoza (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 44.9 | 1,609,643 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 17,957 |
Total votes: 3,582,965 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction
The following candidates ran in the primary for Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Chris Reykdal (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 40.2 | 898,951 |
✔ | ![]() | Maia Espinoza (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 25.3 | 564,674 |
![]() | Ronald Higgins (Nonpartisan) | 20.5 | 456,879 | |
![]() | Dennis Wick (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 5.4 | 121,425 | |
David Spring (Nonpartisan) | 5.0 | 111,176 | ||
![]() | Stan Lippmann (Nonpartisan) | 3.2 | 71,395 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 9,571 |
Total votes: 2,234,071 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Commissioner of Public Lands
General election
General election for Washington Commissioner of Public Lands
Incumbent Hilary Franz defeated Sue Kuehl Pederson in the general election for Washington Commissioner of Public Lands on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Hilary Franz (D) | 56.7 | 2,212,158 |
![]() | Sue Kuehl Pederson (R) | 43.2 | 1,686,320 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 3,799 |
Total votes: 3,902,277 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington Commissioner of Public Lands
The following candidates ran in the primary for Washington Commissioner of Public Lands on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Hilary Franz (D) | 51.1 | 1,211,310 |
✔ | ![]() | Sue Kuehl Pederson (R) | 23.4 | 554,147 |
Cameron Whitney (R) | 8.3 | 197,610 | ||
Stephen Sharon (R) | 7.6 | 179,714 | ||
Frank Wallbrown (D) | 5.2 | 122,136 | ||
Kelsey Reyes (L) | 3.3 | 77,407 | ||
Maryam Abasbarzy (R) | 1.0 | 24,189 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,504 |
Total votes: 2,369,017 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Treasurer
General election
General election for Washington Treasurer
Mike Pellicciotti defeated incumbent Duane Davidson in the general election for Washington Treasurer on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Mike Pellicciotti (D) | 53.4 | 2,089,159 |
![]() | Duane Davidson (R) | 46.5 | 1,818,895 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 3,339 |
Total votes: 3,911,393 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington Treasurer
Mike Pellicciotti and incumbent Duane Davidson advanced from the primary for Washington Treasurer on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Mike Pellicciotti (D) | 53.2 | 1,279,452 |
✔ | ![]() | Duane Davidson (R) | 46.7 | 1,121,885 |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,604 |
Total votes: 2,403,941 | ||||
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State Auditor
General election
General election for Washington State Auditor
Incumbent Pat McCarthy defeated Christopher Leyba in the general election for Washington State Auditor on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Pat McCarthy (D) | 58.0 | 2,260,830 |
Christopher Leyba (R) ![]() | 41.9 | 1,633,956 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 3,316 |
Total votes: 3,898,102 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington State Auditor
Incumbent Pat McCarthy and Christopher Leyba defeated Joshua Casey in the primary for Washington State Auditor on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Pat McCarthy (D) | 47.4 | 1,134,077 |
✔ | Christopher Leyba (R) ![]() | 41.1 | 982,411 | |
![]() | Joshua Casey (D) ![]() | 11.4 | 273,198 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,278 |
Total votes: 2,391,964 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Commissioner of Insurance
General election
General election for Washington Commissioner of Insurance
Incumbent Mike Kreidler defeated Chirayu Avinash Patel in the general election for Washington Commissioner of Insurance on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Mike Kreidler (D) | 65.4 | 2,506,693 |
![]() | Chirayu Avinash Patel (R) ![]() | 34.1 | 1,308,292 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 18,576 |
Total votes: 3,833,561 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Washington Commissioner of Insurance
Incumbent Mike Kreidler and Chirayu Avinash Patel defeated Anthony Welti in the primary for Washington Commissioner of Insurance on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Mike Kreidler (D) | 59.0 | 1,402,650 |
✔ | ![]() | Chirayu Avinash Patel (R) ![]() | 27.1 | 644,446 |
![]() | Anthony Welti (L) ![]() | 13.7 | 324,921 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 4,220 |
Total votes: 2,376,237 | ||||
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If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Context of the 2020 elections
Party control in Washington
Washington Party Control: 1992-2024
Eighteen years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Governor | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Senate | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R[1] | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
House | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | S | S | S | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
Voter information
How the primary works
Washington uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot, for congressional and state-level elections. The top two vote-getters move on to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation. In states that do not use a top-two system, all parties are usually able to put forward a candidate for the general election if they choose to.[2][3]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Poll times
Washington is an all-mail voting state. Individuals who prefer to vote in person rather than by mail may do so at local voting centers, which are open for 18 days prior to the election. The voting period ends at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Contact your county elections department for more information on voting center locations and times.[4]
Registration requirements
- Check your voter registration status here.
To vote in Washington, one must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the state, and at least 18 years of age.[5]
One may register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at a county elections department. Registration must be completed eight days in advance if done by mail or online. In-person registration is available through Election Day.[6]
In 2018, Washington lawmakers enacted legislation providing for same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration.[7]
Automatic registration
Washington automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, health benefit exchange, and other state agencies approved by the governor.[7]
Online registration
- See also: Online voter registration
Washington has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.
Same-day registration
Washington allows same-day voter registration.[7]
Residency requirements
Washington law requires 30 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.[5]
Verification of citizenship
Washington does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who knowingly provides false information or knowingly make a false declaration about their qualifications "will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both."[8]
All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[9] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.
Verifying your registration
The site Vote WA, run by the Washington Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.
Voter ID requirements
Washington is an all-mail voting state and does not require voters to present photo identification (ID). Voters may choose to vote in person at a local voting center. According to state law RCW 29A.40.160, “The county auditor shall require any person desiring to vote at a voting center to either sign a ballot declaration or provide identification.” Accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state ID cards, and student ID cards. For a list of all accepted forms of ID, see below.[10]
The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Washington State Legislature's voter ID regulations to ensure you have the most current information.
- Driver's license
- State identification card
- Student identification card
- Tribal identification card
- Employer identification card
Absentee and early voting
- See also: Absentee voting and Early voting
Washington is an all-mail voting state. A ballot is automatically mailed to each registered voter at least 18 days prior to the election. A postage-paid return envelope is included with each ballot. Completed ballots must either be returned by mail and postmarked by Election Day or returned in person and deposited into an official dropbox by 8 p.m. on Election Day.[11]
Past elections
2018
There were no state executive elections in Washington in 2018.
See also
Washington | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Democrats gained full control of the state Senate after a special election on November 7, 2017.
- ↑ NCSL, "State Primary Election Types," accessed October 3, 2024
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Top 2 Primary: FAQs for Candidates," accessed October 3, 2024
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, “Frequently Asked Questions on Voting by Mail,” accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Washington Secretary of State, "Voter Eligibility," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Voter registration deadlines," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Hill, "Wash. gov signs universal voter registration law," March 20, 2018
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Washington State Voter Registration Form," accessed November 2, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 29A.40.160," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Frequently Asked Questions on Voting by Mail," accessed April 20, 2023