Our freedom and the privilege to be able to vote in an open democratic process to elect our leaders, is due in large part to you, our military men and women and the soldiers who served before you. Regardless of where you are in the world, you have the right to cast a ballot in every election, and more importantly, have it arrive in time to count. If you're in the military, a dependant, or a citizen living overseas and you're registered to vote, you'll be mailed an absentee ballot. However, your current location and mail delivery time could cause a delay. To make sure your vote counts, please read the alternatives outlined in this guide.
Regular absentee ballot voter
- Permanent absentee voters will automatically be mailed a regular absentee ballot for every election.
- Permanent absentee voters classified as being a member of the military or with an oversea or out-of-state address on file in our office will be mailed a ballot approximately 30 days before the election or sooner if we have them available.
- If you have a local address on file with our office, your ballot will be mailed 18 to 20 days before the election.
Special absentee ballot
- You may request a special ballot in writing or via email up to 90 days prior to a primary or general election.
- Your application must state that you will not be able to return a regular absentee ballot by normal mail within the period provided for regular absentee ballots.
- You will receive a sample ballot containing all of the races and issues on which you are entitled to vote. The ballot must be returned using normal mail delivery.
One-time absentee ballot request form
Apply online if you wish to vote absentee for only one election. You may also call us at 206-296-VOTE (8683) or apply in person at the King County Elections.
Forms should be mailed at least two weeks prior to an election to receive your absentee ballot by mail. Late requests can be made over the phone at 206-296-VOTE or in person at:
King County Elections
919 SW Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057-2906
206-296-VOTE (8683)
elections@kingcounty.gov
Faxed ballots
You may request a ballot be faxed to you by contacting King County Elections directly, or the Federal Voting Assistance Program at one of their fax numbers: (703) 693-5527, (800) 368-8683 or DSN 223-5527. You will be faxed a ballot and complete instructions to assist you in voting.
There are three faxing options available:
- You may return your faxed ballot via normal mail delivery.
- You may return your ballot via fax to (206) 296-0108; however, you must waive your right to secrecy. Include a cover sheet with your printed name, date of birth and the statement: "I understand that by faxing my voted ballot, I am voluntarily waiving my right to a secret ballot." You must sign below the statement. You must also fax a copy of the signed voter oath which is on the outside of the absentee ballot envelope.
- Your regular absentee ballot may be faxed back and must include the secrecy waiver and a copy of the signed voter oath which is on the outside of the absentee envelope.
Your original, signed oath and secrecy waiver with the ballot must be received in our office by 9 a.m. prior to certification of the election, which occurs 15 days after primary and 21 days after the November General Election
Federal write-in absentee ballot
- Federal write-in absentee ballots may be used by active military and overseas civilian voters residing outside the United States if their regular absentee ballot has not been received in a timely manner.
- These ballots can be obtained from your Installation Voting Officer or from any US Embassy or Consular Office or you may request the write-in ballot directly from the Federal Voting Assistance Program. Learn more by visiting http://www.fvap.gov/
- These ballots must be received by 9 a.m. prior to certification of the election, which occurs 15 days after the August primary and 21 days after the November General Election.
