The secretary of state is scheduled to certify the statewide primary results later this month.
Washington voters have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to return their ballots in the state's 2026 primary election, with congressional, legislative, judicial and local races across the state set to determine who advances to the November general election.
More than 5 million Washingtonians are registered to vote, according to the secretary of state's office.
Ballots can be returned to official drop boxes, county voting centers or by mail, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
How Washington's primary works
Washington uses a top-two primary system, meaning all candidates for the same office appear on the same ballot regardless of party preference. The two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the November general election, even if they belong to the same political party.
The primary will narrow the field for hundreds of races across the state, including contests for Congress, the Legislature, local governments and the judiciary.
Key races to watch
One of the state's highest-profile contests is in Southwest Washington's 3rd Congressional District, where Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is seeking a third term. She faces a crowded field that includes Trump-endorsed Republican John Braun in a race expected to remain one of the nation's most competitive congressional battlegrounds.
In the 4th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse's retirement has created an open seat, with 11 candidates competing for the chance to advance to November.
In the 9th Congressional District, longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Adam Smith of Bellevue is seeking another term while facing multiple challengers from the left. Independent Kshama Sawant, a socialist who served a decade on the Seattle City Council, and Democrat Melissa Chaudhry are among those hoping to unseat the 30-year incumbent, who has frequently criticized his party's progressive wing.
Across the state, voters also will narrow the field in races for all 98 seats in the Washington House of Representatives, 24 of the 49 state Senate seats and multiple Washington Supreme Court positions.
Several Seattle-area legislative races are drawing attention.
In North Seattle, Democratic state Rep. Gerry Pollet faces fellow Democrats Ron Davis, a technology entrepreneur focused on housing and transit who narrowly lost a 2023 Seattle City Council race, and former federal prosecutor Will Dreher, who has emphasized artificial intelligence oversight.
In central Seattle, Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen faces fellow Democrat Hannah Sabio-Howell, a workers' rights advocate, and Heather-Marie Wilson, who states no party preference.
Seattle's District 5 is the only City Council seat on the ballot this year. Four candidates are competing after Cathy Moore resigned last year. Her appointed replacement, Debora Juarez, is not running.
A vacant King County Council seat also is up for election after Girmay Zahilay was elected county executive last year. State Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, Seattle Port Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa and King County employee Miriam Mboya are among those seeking the seat representing much of Seattle and Skyway.
More than half of the Washington Supreme Court seats are on the ballot this year, with four contests appearing on Tuesday's primary ballot. Newly appointed justices Theo Angelis and Colleen Melody are seeking to retain their seats, as is Chief Justice Debra Stephens. Three candidates also are competing to replace retiring Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis.
King County voters also will choose a successor to Assessor John Wilson, who is not seeking reelection following allegations he stalked his former fiancée. Criminal charges against Wilson were later dropped.
Seattle voters also will decide whether to renew the Seattle Public Library levy. If approved, the seven-year property tax levy would raise about $480 million for technology upgrades, building maintenance and other library services. Supporters estimate it would cost the average Seattle homeowner about $9 more per month.
How to return your ballot
County election offices recommend voters use an official ballot drop box or mail their ballots early to ensure they are postmarked by Tuesday.
Ballots also may be returned in person at county voting centers until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Voters can track the status of their ballot through the Washington Secretary of State's online voter portal and contact their county elections office if they need a replacement ballot.
When will results be available?
Washington conducts elections entirely by mail, meaning results are released in batches as ballots are processed.
The first unofficial results are expected shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday, with additional ballot counts released over the following days as more mailed ballots arrive and are verified. Because ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be counted if they arrive later, some close races may not be decided on election night.
The secretary of state is scheduled to certify the statewide primary results later this month.
