Poll voting

Voting at the polls

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ID requirements at the polls

All poll voters must show identification

All poll voters are required by law to show identification in order to vote a regular poll ballot. RCW 29A.44.205

Acceptable forms of identification

• Driver’s license
• State issued identification card
• Student identification card
• Tribal identification card
• Voter registration card
• Current utility bill
• Recent bank statement
• Paycheck
• Government check
• Other government document
• Any form of valid photo identification with the voter’s name on it

First ID check voters

A King County voter registration card cannot be used as proof of identification for “First ID Check” voters listed in the poll book. All other acceptable forms of identification can be used.

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Absentee voters

Voting at the polls

Absentee voters can return their absentee ballots to any of the polling locations on election day.

Absentee voters have been sent their ballot for the November 4, 2008, general election and will not be able to vote a regular poll ballot.  If an absentee voter goes to the polls to vote on election day, they  will be required to vote a provisional ballot.  Provisional ballots are returned to King County Elections and are then counted after election officials verify the voter is eligible to cast a ballot, a labor-intensive process which generally takes between five and nine days to complete. Once verified, the ballot is added to the official count.

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Out of town on election day

One-Time Absentee Ballot Request Form

Apply online if you wish to vote absentee for only a specific election. You may also call us at 206-296-VOTE (8683) or apply in person at the King County Elections Office.

Forms should be mailed at least two weeks prior to an election to receive your absentee ballot by mail. Late requests can be made over the phone at 206-296-VOTE or in person at:
King County Elections Office
919 SW Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057-2906

Ongoing Absentee Ballot Request Form

To become an ongoing absentee voter, download and sign an ongoing absentee ballot request form (400KB PDF), and deliver it in person or by mail to:
King County Elections Office
919 SW Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057-2906

Forms should be mailed at least two weeks prior to an election to receive your absentee ballot by mail. Late requests can be made over the phone at 206-296-VOTE or in person.

Almost Election Day?

If you require an absentee ballot within three business days of the election, please come into the Elections' office.

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Electioneering and exit polling

Electioneering

No signs advocating passage or defeat of a measure or candidate on the ballot should ever be posted on public property or brought into the polling place.  Poll workers are authorized to remove such signs if they are brought into a polling place on election day.

• Signs on private property or within a private building may not be removed, except when the private property is being used as a polling place.
• Informational vs. campaign materials:  The law allows informational materials which are neutral in language to be published by a jurisdiction.  However, any information promoting passage or defeat of a measure or the election or defeat of a candidate is not allowed in a polling place.
• Campaign buttons, articles of clothing, and other campaign materials that voters may wear are allowed provided that the voter leaves immediately after voting and takes all such items away.
• Signs in or on cars parked within 300 feet of the polling place for longer than it takes a voter to vote must be removed from the car.
• Poll workers must be careful to avoid remarks that may be construed as electioneering.  Comments about candidates or issues on the ballot should be avoided altogether. If a voter tries to engage in a discussion of political issues or asks an opinion about an election, poll workers should say: “I am not allowed to comment on that.”
• Signs or posters in polling places having nothing to do with measures or candidates on the ballot are the responsibility of the property owner or proprietor. 

Additional information regarding electioneering can also be found in RCW 29A.84.510.

Exit polling

Exit polling occurs when poll takers question voters about how they voted as they leave the polling place. No one is obliged to answer the questions of an exit poller. The exit pollers might be media representatives, representatives of political parties, or campaign workers.
Exit polling may be conducted within 300 feet of the polling place but not within the actual polling place itself. It is the responsibility of poll takers to make arrangements with the polling place building owner.  The polling place lease between King County Elections and the property owner does not cover exit polling activities.
Exit pollers are prohibited from engaging in any activities that would interfere with the freedom of voters to enter or leave the polling place or to cast their vote.
If told in advance that exit polling will be conducted at specific polling places, King County Elections staff will notify Inspectors. 

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Observing at the polls

Poll watchers and observers

Poll watchers are appointed by political parties or campaigns and will often present an introductory letter to the Inspector signed by the county party chair or campaign.

Anyone may observe elections without authorization.

All observers and poll watchers may:

• Observe the voting process before, during or after voting hours.
• Copy voter names from the pages of the Inspector’s List of Precinct Voters, which are posted on the wall.
• Observe the opening or closing process only if they remain quiet and at least an arm’s length away from the poll workers’ tables.
• Pictures can be taken at the polling place as long as it does not interfere with the voting process. Also, they cannot take pictures of ballots and should ask voters for their permission before taking pictures of them.
• Any questions you have regarding procedures at the polling place should be directed to the Inspector. Please be respectful of the Inspector’s time, their priority is voting and polling place management.

All observers and poll watchers may not:

• Handle ballots, poll books or interfere in any way with the voting process.
• Electioneer within 300 feet of the polling place entrance or exit.
• Remove any items from the poll workers’ tables.
• Approach the privacy booths.
• Use a cellular phone in the polling place.
• May not use electronic devices such as radios, televisions, or laptop computers in the polling place.

Media observers:
Observers from the media should check in with the polling place Inspector to arrange to observe the voting process with the least possible disruption to voters. Please ensure that media representatives do not record or photograph voters unless the voter has granted permission to do so. Media observers must respect the privacy of the voting booth.

Poll workers

On Election Day poll workers prepare the polling place by setting up the equipment and materials that are necessary to conduct the election. During the day poll workers are responsible for issuing ballots, assisting voters, and ensuring that all voting procedures are followed. At the end of Election Day poll workers close the polling place by completing the necessary reports and procedures, and by packing and returning election materials and equipment.

• Pollworker Guidebook (PDF)
• Issuing a Ballot, quick reference (PDF)