Washington State Primary Election Day: Polls close at 8 p.m.
Aug 4, 2026, 7:45 AM
An elections worker sorts unopened ballots at the King County Elections headquarters on Aug. 4, 2020 in Renton. (Photo: David Ryder, Getty Images)
(Photo: David Ryder, Getty Images)
Time is running out to cast your vote in the Washington state primary election.
Tuesday’s vote narrows down the field for Congress, the state legislature, and the state Supreme Court. The top two candidates in each race will move on to the November general election.
State election officials remind you that the top two advance regardless of their political party.
“Today, voters across the state will see an array of ballot measures, including voting for representatives for both state and federal sides, state Supreme Court, district court, and a few county positions,” KIRO 7 reporter Brooke Griffin said outside King County election headquarters. “Now, in Seattle, the Council District No. 5 seat is up for grabs. Right now, Deborah Juarez holds that position, and was appointed to it last summer. This district includes Greenwood, Northgate, and the Lake City area.”
The City of Seattle’s Proposition No. 1 on the ballot is a tax levy to benefit the public library system.
“If passed, people would pay 23 cents on every $1,000 worth of their own property value. That money is expected to help extend library operating hours, technology upgrades, and maintenance for the buildings,” Griffin reported.
Ballot measures also include restoring a 2026 property tax levy.
“Now, if passed, residents would pay $1 on every $1,000 of property value,” Griffin added. “Right now, that levy is only 54 cents, so this levy would actually double that tax.”
You have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to put your completed ballot inside an official drop box.
“At this point, we definitely recommend voters use a ballot drop box,” Kendall Hodson, the chief of staff for King County elections, told KIRO 7. “We have 91 across King County. 92% of voters live within two miles of a box, so there are lots of options. At this point, don’t mail it. It might not be on time. Use one of the ballot drop boxes.”
If you plan to mail it, it absolutely must be postmarked by the end of the day today.
“Mail service has been pretty good this election,” Hodson said. “We’ve seen good delivery times, but we’d still recommend using a drop box, especially if you’re out further in Eastern King County, and really even anywhere today.”
