It’s crucial to know what time it is in Washington state, especially when it comes to election deadlines. Washington operates on Pacific Time (PT), observing Pacific Standard Time (PST) during standard time and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) during daylight saving time. Missing a deadline because of time zone confusion can prevent your vote from being counted. So, whether you’re a first-time voter or a seasoned participant in Washington elections, understanding the timing is key.
Washington State holds several types of elections throughout the year, each with specific dates and deadlines. These include Special Elections, Primary Elections, and General Elections. For each of these, there’s an 18-day voting period leading up to Election Day. Ballots are mailed out at the start of this period, and Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) become available at voting centers.
For instance, consider a Special Election with Election Day on February 11th. The 18-day voting period would commence on January 24th. Important deadlines to note are online and mail voter registrations, which must be received 8 days before Election Day. For the February 11th election, this deadline falls on February 3rd. However, you can register to vote in person up to and including Election Day itself, but ensure it’s before 8:00 p.m.
Similarly, for a Special Election in April with Election Day on April 22nd, the 18-day voting period starts on April 4th. The online and mail registration deadline is April 14th, and the final in-person registration deadline is April 22nd.
Moving to the Primary Election, if Election Day is on August 5th, the voting period begins on July 18th. The online and mail registration deadline is July 28th, and the final in-person registration or update deadline is August 5th.
Finally, for the General Election with Election Day on November 4th, the voting period starts on October 17th. Online and mail registrations must be in by October 27th, and the last day for in-person registration or updates is November 4th.
Crucially, regardless of the election type, all ballots must be deposited in an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day in Washington State. This 8 p.m. deadline is Pacific Time. Therefore, always double-check what time it is in Washington to ensure your ballot is submitted on time. For any questions, you can call 1-800-448-4881 Monday-Friday between 8AM-5PM Pacific Time or email the provided contact for election assistance. Always refer to the official elections calendar for the most accurate and complete information.
