YOUTH AND THE VOTE

2026

Official Voting Website: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections

Washington State provides voter information tools to register to vote, check voter registration status, find ballot drop boxes and voting centers, and learn about voting by mail. The state also offers information about voter eligibility, accessible voting, election deadlines, ballot tracking, election results, and opportunities to participate in civic engagement.

Voter Registration: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-registration/register-vote-washington

Check Your Voter Registration: https://voter.votewa.gov/

Find Your Polling Place and Ballot Drop Box: https://voter.votewa.gov/

How to Vote: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters

Voting by Mail: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/helpful-information/frequently-asked-questions-voting-mail

Accessible Voting Resources: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-eligibility/voters-disabilities

Voter Eligibility and Identification: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-eligibility

2026 Election Information and Deadlines: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections

Election Results: https://results.vote.wa.gov/

Track Your Ballot: https://voter.votewa.gov/

Find Your County Elections Office: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-registration/county-elections-offices

Future Voter Program: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/voter-eligibility/future-voter-program

Nonpartisan Voter Education (VOTE411): https://www.vote411.org/

League of Women Voters of Washington: https://www.lwvwa.org/

Washington Bus: https://www.washingtonbus.org/

Vote.org: https://www.vote.org/

Rock the Vote: https://www.rockthevote.org/

Election Protection and Voter Assistance: https://866ourvote.org/

Civic Engagement Opportunities: Washington residents can get involved beyond voting by volunteering with voter education organizations, attending local government meetings, participating in community projects, learning about public policy, supporting civic education initiatives, and helping eligible community members access reliable voting information.

2024

TOP STRATEGIES/INITIATIVES TO INCREASE REGISTRATION & TURNOUT

State Policies and Resources

• Secretary of State voting website.
• Online registration, vote by mail, drop off boxes, and same day registration, facilitate access and encourage participation.
• During pandemic, ballots mailed to all registered voters.
• Washington: Election deadlines, dates, and rules

High school Initiatives

• 16 and 17 year olds can sign up to be Future Voters and are automatically registered at 18. More information about Washington’s Future Voter Program.
• Washington Bus partners with high schools to mobilize young voters and has registered more than 70,000 Washington voters (Impact Report). 

College and University initiatives

• Every campus is encouraged to participate in All IN Challenge and compete for Washington Campus Voting Challenge awards. 23 campuses participated in ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge in 2022; 
  • Two campuses won Platinum Awards for voter turnout rates > 80%.
  • Most Improved Turnout: Eastern Washington University
  • Highest Turnout: University of Puget Sound
    Highest Voter Registration Rate: University of Puget Sound
  • University of Puget Sound, at 84.9%, tied for the highest undergraduate voting rate nationally.

• WASHINGTON CAMPUS VOTER GUIDE

Other Resources and Initiatives

• League of Women Voters of Washington supports schools, teachers, and young voters with tools, tips, and civic education resources.
• Secretary of State Civic Education program.
• Washington’s overall turnout was 75.2% in 2020, one of the highest states in the US.