Voter registration

Qualifications

You must be:

• 18 years old on or before the next election
• A United States citizen by birth or naturalization
• A resident of the State of Washington
• Not presently denied your civil rights as a result of being convicted of a felony

When to Register

You can register anytime, but you must be registered 30 days before an election in order to vote. If you miss a 30-day cutoff, you may register in person at the Elections Office in Seattle up until 15 days before the election. When registering within the 15-day time frame, you must vote by absentee ballot.

Where to Register

• King County Division of Records and Elections, 500 4th Avenue Room 553, Seattle
• City and Town Clerks
• all Branch public libraries
• All public schools

Where to Vote

You must vote at your own precinct polling place. Its location is shown on your voter registration card and will be listed in a major newspaper and Friday before election day. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Name or Address Change

If you have a name change, you can complete an online voter registration form or write or fax the following information:  prior registered name and new name, date of birth, voter registration number if known, residence address, mailing address if different from residence address, former signature and new signature, and daytime and nighttime phone number.

If you have moved from one address in King County to another address in King County, call the Election Department to report your new address, complete an online registration form, or write or fax the following information: registered name, date of birth, voter registration number if known, prior and new addresses, mailing address if different from new address, signature, and daytime and nighttime phone number.

If you have moved among counties in Washington state, you must complete a registration form.

Absentee Ballots

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot. You do not need to be ill or absent to be an absentee voter. No absentee ballots are issued on election day except to a voter who is a resident of a health care facility.  Absentee ballots must be signed and postmarked or delivered to the Election Department by election day.  Absentee ballots may be returned to the voter’s nearest polling place.  Each voter will receive a ballot for every election in which they are entitled to vote.  If you wish to vote absentee for only a specific election, you may apply online, call the Election Department, or apply in person at the Election Department.

Ongoing Absentee Ballots

You may apply for status as an ongoing absentee voter by writing the King County Elections Office or calling (206) 296-VOTE for an application. You will receive a ballot for every election in which you are entitled to vote.

Questions

If you have any questions, please call

City of Kent
City Clerk
253-856-5725

or

King County Records and Elections Office
206-296-VOTE