Walk-in voting allowed in Washington until 8 p.m. on Election Day

Washington voters can still register and cast a ballot on Election Day, 2026-11-02. The deadline is 8 p.m. at the door. Individuals who are already in line when the clock strikes 8 p.m. are permitted to vote.

King County Elections has been processing ballots for days. Workers on the second floor of the headquarters in Renton verify and scan each submission. The first-floor elections center sees a surge of last-minute visitors as the date approaches.

Kendall Hodson, Chief of Staff of King County Elections, stated that drop boxes and vote center doors lock at 8 p.m. by law. However, those in line at that hour will be counted. Hodson advised arriving early to avoid potential lines but confirmed the office would assist late arrivals.

There are seven election centers in King County where same-day registration is possible. Each county in Washington maintains at least one such facility open until 8 p.m. on election night. Voters can locate a site on the Washington Secretary of State’s website.

No specific documents are mandatory for registration at these centers. Hodson noted that while a Washington State ID or driver's license is helpful, it is not required. Knowing the last four digits of a Social Security number also aids the process.

Voters may also visit these centers for replacement ballots or to ask questions. The staff will process registrations for anyone who walks in before the deadline.