Absentee ballots

Voting by mail, switching to absentee, military and overseas voting

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot. You do not need to be ill or "absent" to be an absentee voter.

On Election Day, absentee ballots are only reissued in-person at our Renton office.

NOTE: Absentee ballots must be signed and postmarked or delivered to the King County Elections Office by election day. Voters may return their absentee ballots to their nearest polling place.
Find post office hours for absentee drop off (USPS.com)
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Each voter will receive a ballot for every election in which they are entitled to vote. Status as an ongoing absentee voter shall be terminated upon the occurrence of the following:

• The cancellation of the voter’s registration record
• The written request of the voter
• The death or disqualification of the voter

One-Time Absentee Ballot Request Form

Apply online if you wish to vote absentee for only a specific election. You may also call us at 206-296-VOTE (8683) or apply in person at the King County Elections Office.

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 Office
919 SW Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057-2906

Ongoing Absentee Ballot Request Form

To become an ongoing absentee voter, download and sign an ongoing absentee ballot request form (400KB PDF), and deliver it in person or by mail to:

King County Elections Office
919 SW Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057-2906

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.

Out of Country – Special Ballots

A "special ballot" is a special absentee ballot for voters residing or stationed outside of the Continental U.S. who believe they will be unable to vote a regular absentee ballot by normal mail delivery. Such voters may apply in writing to this office to receive a write-in ballot listing major offices and measures. These requests can be accepted starting ninety days before a general election. The special absentee ballot will be mailed as soon as possible after a request is received. Download special ballot application

Ballot didn't come in the mail?

• Check the voter guide look-up to verify that you are registered as an absentee voter and eligible to vote in the upcoming election.
• Allow sufficient time for your absentee ballot to reach you. Regular absentee ballots are mailed out 18 days prior to the election. Please allow at least 5 days for in-county and 10 days for out-of-county mail to arrive.

Almost Election Day?

If you require a replacement ballot within three business days of the election, please come into the Elections' office or visit your nearby polling place to cast a provisional ballot. When voting provisionally, don't forget to bring proper ID and use the voter guide look-up to view and print a list of issues you are eligible to vote on. Click here to learn more.