2026 Voting Guides

Washington voting guide

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Here’s what you need to vote in Washington.

Check Your Registration

Even if you voted last time, check that you’re still registered. Check your registration

Register by:
  • Online or by mail: Mon., Oct. 26
  • In person at a county office or voting center: Tues., Nov. 3

Missed it? You can register in person and vote until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Key Dates

  • Ballots mailed; county voting centers open (18-day voting period begins)
  • Online and mail registration/update deadline (must be received)
  • Election Day: drop boxes and voting centers close 8 p.m.; last day for in-person registration; last day for mail postmark
  • Last day to fix (cure) a ballot signature problem - day before county certification
  • Counties certify results (21 days after the general election)

Your Voting Checklist

  • Vote early in person from Fri., Oct. 16 to Tues., Nov. 3.
  • Vote by mail. Every registered voter gets a ballot in the mail.
    Return it by Tues., Nov. 3.
    Problem with your ballot? If your signature is missing or does not match, the county will contact you. Send back the form they give you. Track your ballot
  • Vote on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 3, Drop boxes and voting centers close at 8 p.m. local time. Find your polling place
  • Bring the right ID. Most voters don't need to show ID. Your signature is checked instead.
    • Photo ID
    • Tribal enrollment card
    • Current utility bill
    • Bank statement
    • Paycheck or government check
    • Other government paper with your name and address
    See the official ID rules
  • Review your sample ballot before you go.
  • Have a past conviction?
    • You can't vote while in prison for a felony.
    • Your right comes back when you get out, even if you are on supervision or owe fines.
    • You then need to register again.
  • Make a plan and bring three people. Make a plan

What’s on Your Ballot

These are the biggest races in Washington this year. Please note, we do not endorse any candidates.

U.S. House, District 3 (WA-3)

  • John Braun Republican · Campaign site
  • Washington State Senate Republican leader; president of Braun Northwest, an emergency-vehicle maker in Chehalis; retired Navy captain.
  • Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent · Campaign site
  • U.S. representative since 2023; co-owner of an auto repair shop.

Stance on key issues

Voting rights & elections

John Braun Republican

Voted against SB 5077 (2025), which expanded voter registration services at more state agencies. Source

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Voted for the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) in April 2025, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Source

Policing, prisons & public safety

John Braun Republican

Pledges to 'back police, prosecute fentanyl dealers' and protect communities from crime. Voted against HB 1163 (2025), which added a permit requirement to buy firearms. Source

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Supports federal money to raise police and firefighter pay. Supports stricter punishment for drug sales and possession plus more access to treatment. Source

Immigration

John Braun Republican

Proposes to 'complete barriers, hire agents, deploy technology' at the border and go after cartel supply chains. Source

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Voted for the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) in January 2025, which requires federal detention of some immigrants charged with theft or violent crimes. Voted for Homeland Security funding, including ICE, in January 2026. Source

Abortion & health care

John Braun Republican

No public position found.

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Describes herself as 'pro-choice' and says she 'will do whatever it takes to prevent a national abortion ban.' Voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 21) in 2025. Source

Economy, taxes & cost of living

John Braun Republican

Opposed the 2025 state tax increases, including the sales tax on services (voted against SB 5814), and opposes the state's 9.9% tax on income over $1 million. Pledges to 'cut waste, not services.' Source

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Voted against the 2025 tax-and-spending law (H.R. 1). Supports expanding the Child Tax Credit and protecting Social Security without raising the retirement age. Source

Workers & wages

John Braun Republican

Voted against SB 5041 (2025), which lets striking or locked-out workers get unemployment benefits. Pledges to 'protect family-wage jobs.' Source

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Supports more apprenticeships and job training, letting Pell Grants pay for job training, and higher wages. Supports 'right to repair' rules for farm and consumer equipment. Source

Housing

John Braun Republican

Voted against HB 1217 (2025), which limits yearly rent and fee increases for tenants. Source

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Says she is working to 'bring down the cost of housing.' Source

Schools

John Braun Republican

Cites his record of college tuition cuts and fully funding public schools. Voted against HB 1296 (2025), which changed the state's parents' rights law and added student protections. Source

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Supports career and technical education and reducing the number of jobs that require a four-year degree. Source

Civil rights, DEI & LGBTQ+ rights

John Braun Republican

No public position found.

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (H.R. 28) in January 2025, which would bar transgender girls and women from female school sports teams. Source

Climate & environmental justice

John Braun Republican

Proposes to fight high costs by 'cutting regulation, expanding energy.' Source

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Says climate change 'is real and is man-made' and hits working people hardest. Supports tax rebates for home energy upgrades and energy from 'traditional and renewable sources.' Source

Books, press & public media

John Braun Republican

No public position found.

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Democratic, incumbent

Voted against the House version of the 2025 Rescissions Act (H.R. 4), which canceled federal funding for public broadcasting and some foreign aid. Source

Ballot measures

  • Initiative IL26-638: Girls' school sports eligibility. Would bar students the measure defines as 'biologically male' from some K-12 school sports meant only for girls, and require students' health care providers to verify biological sex.
    Yes means transgender girls could not play on some girls' school teams, and schools would need a health provider's verification of a student's sex to play.
    No means current rules stay. Washington's school sports association sets eligibility, and state anti-discrimination law still applies.
  • Initiative IL26-001: Parents' rights in schools. Would undo 2025 changes the Legislature made to the parents' rights law that voters' initiative created in 2024. It would require schools to tell parents about medical care given to their children, repeal some student rights added in 2025, and set up parent review of curriculum.
    Yes means the parents' rights law goes back to a version closer to the 2024 initiative, with more required notice to parents and parent curriculum review.
    No means the 2025 law stays, including the student protections lawmakers added.
  • Initiative IP26-645: Repeal the tax on household income over $1 million. Would repeal the 9.9% state tax on household income above $1 million that lawmakers passed in March 2026, and ban future state and local income taxes. Supporters of the tax estimated it would raise $3.5 billion or more a year starting in 2029 for public defense, the Working Families Tax Credit, small business relief and sales tax exemptions.
    Yes means the tax on income over $1 million is repealed, and state and local income taxes are banned.
    No means the 9.9% tax on household income over $1 million stays in place.

Protect the Vote

  • Apply to be a poll worker and support free and fair elections.
  • Watch the count. Take a training to learn how to observe the polls.
  • If anyone tries to stop you from voting or something at your polling place seems wrong:
    • Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
    • Call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) (Spanish)
    • Call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) (Asian languages)
    • Call 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) (Arabic)
    • Call Washington Secretary of State Elections: 1-800-448-4881
    • If you’re in line when polls close, stay in line. You can still vote.
    • If your name isn’t on the list, ask for a provisional ballot.
    • Know your rights

Organizations to Support

  • OneAmerica. Immigrant- and refugee-led 501(c)(3) that runs civic engagement and voter education in Washington (its partisan work is done by separate affiliates).
  • Latino Community Fund of Washington. Latino-led group that funds and builds civic engagement, leadership and community programs across Washington.

Anti-Racism Daily will never tell you who to vote for and does not endorse candidates. Information here has been pulled from the internet and may be inaccurate. Please fact-check your sources. If you spot a mistake, please let us know so we can fix it.

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