Frequently Asked Questions

Washington State Elections offers multiple ways to register. Before you register to vote, view voter eligibility and dates and deadlines.

• Online voter registration
• By mail - print a registration form to mail in
• In person
• Request a registration form to be mailed to you: (509) 888-6402

• To cancel your voter registration if you have moved or if you no longer wish to be a registered voter: You can print, sign and return our Cancellation form to elections@co.douglas.wa.us or contact our elections department, (509) 888-6402 for assistance.
•  To cancel the registration of a deceased voter: please print, sign and return our voter registration cancellation form for a deceased voter .

Washington State is a vote-by-mail state. State law requires us to deliver ballots to the post office at least 18 days before Election Day. If you haven’t received your ballot, please call our Elections team at (509) 888-6402.

You can also get a ballot in-person at the Auditor’s Office beginning 20 days before an election. You can find information about our location and hours to prepare for your visit.

• Seasonal resident: If you are a seasonal resident, update your seasonal mailing address with our office. Provide us with the first and last days you’ll receive mail at this address and we’ll send your ballot to that address each year between the dates you specify. 
• Out of town and can’t receive mail: You can access an electronic ballot by logging into VoteWA. You’ll only need access to the internet and a printer to print your ballot and return it to our office.
• Leaving town and can’t receive your ballot by mail: If you know you’ll be out of town and can’t receive mail or email 90 days before an election, contact us and we can issue a special advance ballot to you.

• Drop boxes are a secure, convenient way for voters to return their ballot. There are a total of 9 drop box locations in Douglas County. 
• Drop boxes are open 24 hours a day for the entire 18 day voting period. They are securely locked and closed with tamper-evident seals.
• Dual custody (two trained election personnel) is required to empty drop boxes into sealed containers for transport. 
• Ballots are transported directly to the election center in sealed containers.
• Your ballot will be on-time if the ballot is deposited in a county drop box before 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Yes. If you’re an early voter, you should feel confident to return your ballot by mail. Postal carriers are reliable, unbiased professionals who handle ballots with the upmost integrity. Your ballot is treated as 1st Class mail. It’s postage-paid. No need to apply a stamp.

If you plan to vote in the final week before the election, we recommend that you use a ballot drop box. Find the closest Ballot Drop Box here.

You may receive an updated ballot because your residential address or name changed after the initial ballot mailing. Sometimes this happens when you interact with the Department of Licensing for drivers’ licensing services or if you have moved to a new address.

If you receive two ballots, please open both packets. One should have an insert indicating that it is “Replacement/Reissued Ballot.” Please vote and return the replacement ballot. It has the correct races and precinct information for your new address.

If you make a mistake and vote the initial ballot, the elections office will simply hold it and ensure that you don’t submit the replacement. If the replacement isn’t received, your initial ballot will be counted.