America Votes: Washington Voters Head to the Ballot Box

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Washington voters have until 8 p.m. tonight, to return their ballots in the 2026 general election, with election officials preparing to release the first unofficial results after polls close.

Whatcom and Skagit county voters will be watching several closely contested races, statewide initiatives and local ballot measures as results begin coming in Tuesday night.

Gov. Bob Ferguson encouraged Washington residents who have not yet returned their ballots to use one of the state’s official drop boxes or voting centers.

“We have 603 drop boxes and 66 voting centers across our state. Find your nearest drop box or voting center here and drop your ballot off by 8pm.”

— Gov. Bob Ferguson

Washington operates elections primarily by mail. Voters can return completed ballots through the U.S. Postal Service or deposit them in an official ballot drop box. Ballots placed in drop boxes must arrive by 8 p.m. Election Day.

Voters who still need to register or update their registration can do so in person at their county elections office through 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Washington ballot returns approach Election Day

The Washington Secretary of State’s latest ballot return statistics, posted Monday, Nov. 2, show 2,112,413 ballots returned statewide out of 5,168,172 voters in the election.

That represents a 40.87% return rate heading into Election Day.

Of the ballots returned, 2,006,370 had been accepted, while 13,380 were challenged. The statewide dashboard showed an overall challenged ballot rate of 0.63%.

Drop boxes accounted for nearly three-quarters of returned ballots. The breakdown showed 73.97% returned through drop boxes, 25.39% by mail and 0.64% through other methods.

Whatcom County reported a 47.88% ballot return rate, with 170,280 voters in the election. Skagit County reported a 40.44% return rate among 92,276 voters.

Those figures reflect the Secretary of State’s Monday snapshot, not the final Election Day turnout.

Whatcom and Skagit County election results

Both counties will begin reporting unofficial election results after 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Whatcom County voters are deciding several local races and ballot measures, including contests for Port of Bellingham commissioner, Public Utility District No. 1 commissioner and Whatcom County District Court judge.

Bellingham voters will also decide two city propositions and Initiative 26-01, which concerns prohibiting algorithmic price-fixing in the rental market.

Other local measures include a City of Lynden public safety and essential services levy lid lift and a Fire Protection District 1 regular property tax levy lid lift.

Skagit County voters will also see results from local races, measures and statewide contests as election officials begin reporting returns.

Statewide races and ballot measures

Washington voters are also deciding several statewide and federal contests.

The 2026 general election ballot includes the race for Washington’s 2nd Congressional District, with incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen facing Republican challenger Edwin H. Feller.

Legislative Districts 40 and 42 also have contested legislative races, along with a number of Washington Supreme Court positions.

Three statewide initiatives are also on the ballot:

• Initiative Measure IP26-645: Would repeal the state’s 9.9% tax on annual individual income exceeding $1 million and prohibit taxes measured by individual income.
• Initiative Measure IL26-001: Would repeal amendments to a law outlining parental rights relating to children in public schools and restore the law as originally enacted through Initiative to the Legislature 2081.
• Initiative Measure IL26-638: Would prohibit students defined by the measure as biologically male from competing in certain K-12 athletic activities designated for female students.

The first unofficial results will provide an early look at voter decisions, but election officials will continue processing ballots after Election Day.

Where to find election results

Whatcom and Skagit county election officials expect to publish their first unofficial results after 8 p.m. Tuesday. Results will continue to update as additional ballots are processed.

Voters can follow the results through the official county election websites:

• Whatcom County: November 3 General and Special Election results.
• Skagit County: November 3 General Election results.
• Statewide: Washington Secretary of State election results.

Washington’s election results remain unofficial until county canvassing boards complete their work and certify the election.

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