Tuesday, Aug. 6, is a big day — aka Primary Election Day — and we’ve done the Googling so you don’t have to.
To make your trip to the ballot box as easy as possible, we’ve curated need-to-know info about how and where to vote, along with what you’ll see on your voting sheet — from seats to propositions. 👇
✏️ Are you registered?
If you already registered and your address hasn’t changed, you should have already received your ballot in the mail, along with a voter pamphlet.
If your mail-in ballot was lost or damaged, you can search for it online and print out a new one. You can also take a look at a PDF of the voting pamphlet here.
If you haven’t registered, you can still do so in person at a Seattle area voting center through Election Day.
🗳 Drop off your ballot
Follow the instructions closely, sign the back of the envelope, seal the ballot, then drop it off at one of these 24/7 locations. You can also track your ballot by receiving texts or email updates.
Most voting centers will also be open on Election Day from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. for people who may need assistance. Keep in mind that your ballot must be returned to a drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
✅ What are we voting on?
Because this is a primary election, all votes are to help narrow down the list of candidates in November, when we ultimately make the final decision on who gets the seat.
In Seattle, voters will be choosing who moves forward in the race for Seattle City Council Position No. 8. This position represents the city as whole, instead of a specific district. There are five names on the ticket — two will advance.
Statewide, voters will get to choose who advances in the race for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner, State Senators, State Representatives, and the State Supreme Court Justice Position No. 2.
On a national level, there’s a senate race and four US representative races.
At SEAtoday, we aim to cover local elections in a way that educates and activates our community with unbiased information to encourage individual voter participation. (I.e. vote for whoever + whatever you want to, just make sure to vote.) To learn more, check out our Editorial Ethics Policy.
