Voting is an extremely important right to exercise, especially for college students. Garnering a political voice to help shape our community and nation is very beneficial for our community. Knowing how to register, how to vote and where to vote is critical for exercising that right, but not everyone knows where to start. In this article, I will give you an instructional and informational guide on everything you need to know when voting in Washington state.


Before registering to vote, it is important to ensure you’re eligible. Requirements to vote can vary by state, but there are a few requirements that must be met nationwide such as making sure you’re a citizen of the USA and a legal resident in the current state you live in. For every state, you must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day. Unlike other states, here in Washington, 16 and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote before they turn 18. This is so when they are of legal voting age they will already be registered as a voter. Certain restrictions can impact your voting status depending on your legal and criminal record. If you are a registered felon or currently incarcerated under felony charges, you are disqualified to vote. If you meet these requirements, then you go ahead and register to vote! 

There are 42 states that offer online voter registration, Washington being the second state to legalize it back in 2008. Online registration can make the ability to vote more accessible, considering it can be done from anywhere, whereas registering in person involves tedious planning ahead and not all people have the time or means to do so. It is also possible to register by filling out a physical registration form and mailing it to a local election office. You may register in person throughout Election Day, registration forms submitted by mail need to be received by an eight-day deadline before Election Day in Washington. To check your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct, you can visit Washington’s Voter Registration Lookup Tool on the website voter.vote wa.gov.

 Some important information and deadlines to remember are that:

  • In-person registration deadlines during early voting are October 18 – November 5.
  •  For in-person voting locations on Election Day, the deadline is November 5. 
  • Online voting forms are due Oct 28 by 11:59 p.m. 

With that in mind, let’s move on to where we can vote. A ballot is mailed to every Washington resident who is a registered voter 20 days before the election. Washington state offers early voting so you can avoid the last-minute mailing and long poll lines. You can vote in person if you prefer and can find an in-person voting location in your county by going to the vote.wa voter portal website. There are other instances like Absentee voting, which allows eligible voters to cast their ballots by mail or in advance if they cannot physically attend their designated polling place on Election Day. This process ensures that everyone can participate in the election, regardless of travel, illness or other circumstances. There are resources for Absentee voting in the sources below.

Now, what should you expect on Election Day? 

The majority of Washington state voters prefer to cast their ballot through mail. If you choose to vote in person, be sure to bring your ID or proof of residency when casting your ballot. Washington has more than 544 official drop boxes and 67 voting centers where you can register to vote in person. You can find these locations on the Washington Secretary of State website. The official website for Thurston County states, “Ballot boxes provide a free, secure, and convenient way for you to vote and ensure we receive your ballot on time.” Ballot boxes are a convenient and more traditional way to secure your vote. You do not need a stamp to use a ballot drop box as well. Ballot drop boxes open approximately 20 days before Election Day and remain open 24-hours until 8:00 pm on election night. After voting, you can keep track of your ballot status on the voter.votewa.gov website.

Voting in an election is often seen as a powerful opportunity to make our voices heard and create change in the society we live in. This sense of empowerment can be energizing, but can also come with a huge amount of emotional pressure. The responsibility of making informed decisions and the high stakes of elections can cause anxiety for many voters. Whether it’s pre-election nerves about making the right choice or post-election stress over the results, voting anxiety is a common and valid experience for everyone. To support voters, resources, and hotlines are listed at the end of this article.

With our voices, we can help shape the political agenda of our country, whether it be local or national. It is normal as students or young people, to think our vote doesn’t matter. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga thinks otherwise, stating, “College students have the potential to be a key constituency in every election. With millions of college students eligible to vote, your collective voice can make a significant difference.” This is more than true, and just another reason for students to get out there in the political world, get involved, and vote.

References and Resources

​Ballot Drop Box Locations | Thurston County. (2024). Retrieved November 7, 2024, from Thurstoncountywa.gov website: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/auditor/elections/voting-information/ballot-drop-box-locations

Online voter registration. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ballotpedia website: https://ballotpedia.org/Online_voter_registration

Voter Eligibility | WA Secretary of State. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.sos.wa.gov website: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-eligibility-resources/voter-eligibility

VoteWA Voter Portal. (n.d.). Retrieved from voter.votewa.gov website: https://voter.votewa.gov/portal2023/login.aspx

Washington Absentee Ballots – Vote.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.vote.org website: https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot/washington/

Why College Students Should Vote | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.utc.edu website: https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/dean-of-students/mocs-go-vote/why-vote

Works, D. (2024). Democracy Works Voting Data and Guidance. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from Democracy.works website: https://voting.democracy.works/en/vote/wa.html