On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, Washington State will hold its General Election with thousands of local races happening statewide. Registered and eligible voters will have the chance to voice local, county, state, and ballot measures that directly impact them. With the General Election approaching fast, each voter should understand the power of their vote. Voting is how citizens and eligible residents elect representatives, and it is important that elected representatives are people who work in their constituents’ interests. Unfortunately, some of the voting-eligible populations do not register for local races, and even among registered ones, some skip local elections entirely. When a citizen does not recognize the power of their vote, they may fail to communicate their voice, which ultimately cannot elect the representative that they want to shape the policies of their community. 

In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, only 73.6% (174 million people) of the citizen voting-age population registered to vote, and of that 174 million, 20 million registered voters did not vote at all, according to the United States Census Bureau. While no citizen or eligible resident is mandated to cast a vote, they missed their chance in having a direct say in issues that may or may not impact their communities. It is imperative that each voter casts a ballot, even in small, local races. In fact, local elections often face low voter turnout, meaning that votes will have greater power, according to Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Democracy can only operate when citizens understand their power and their participation. When more citizens vote, the better chance our government represents more citizens and passes policies they want, according to Second Rate Democracy. Therefore, active voter participation is essential in a democracy, ensuring we, the people, have a voice in government. Your ballot can help elect local, county, or state representatives that will amplify your voice and facilitate impactful changes in the best interests of citizens and residents.  

Washington is a state which participates in a vote by mail system, meaning registered and eligible voters will receive ballots ahead of the Nov. 4 General Election. You can additionally visit King County to learn more about candidates, ballot measures, drop box locations, and voting centers. For ballots to be counted, it is essential that voters return them by mail, at any ballot drop box location, or through an in-person voting center. Ballots are mailed out by county election offices no later than Oct. 17 (or Sept. 20 for eligible military and overseas voters), according to Washington Secretary of State (Washington SOS). Washington SOS adds that for voters looking to either register or update their current address, Oct. 27 will be the last chance for those wanting to make their voices heard in the upcoming General Election. However, Washington additionally provides same day registration, meaning those who missed the Oct. 27 deadline can still appear in person at a voting center to receive a ballot through 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. To learn more about candidates and measures on your specific ballot, you can visit the voter registration and ballot management portal, which can be accessed once you are successfully registered to vote. 

On Nov. 4, after the 8 p.m. deadline, ballots are counted and verified for legitimacy. Certification of results are released separately, one by each county and a statewide one later. Washington Secretary of State listed Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, as the date for which the county canvassing board will complete the canvass and certify election results. Then, on Dec. 4, 2025, the Secretary of State will canvass and certify the results of the General Election. The certification process ensures votes are legitimate, counted once per voter, and protects democratic values of the people by letting them elect their representative. 

In Seattle, the mayoral election will take place alongside the General Election. The mayoral election is quite important, especially for Seattle residents, as the mayor is the chief executive of the city and superintends local government operations. Mayors are often responsible for leading the city’s policies, city council, and departments, according to the League of Women Voters. Candidates for Seattle’s next mayor include Katie Wilson and current Seattle mayor, Bruce Harrell, who is seeking re-election. To learn more about newcomer Wilson or view her campaign ad, visit wilsonforseattle.com. Wilson’s plan can be found on her website. To dive deeper into incumbent mayor Harrell, you can visit bruceforseattle.com, which additionally includes past initiatives and other relevant information from Harrell’s current term and campaign.  

Harrell’s campaign appears to be promising given his experience as Seattle’s current mayor, though some argue Wilson’s campaign may drive progressive change in Seattle. Northwest Progressive Institute, says Seattle voters are hungry for bold progressive change and are discontented with Harell’s performance. Northwest Progressive Institute adds that Harrell faces the demanding task of securing a second term. To be specific, Seattle residents have not voted for the same mayor twice since 2006, when former mayor Greg Nickels had been reelected to a second term. While Wilson’s odds are looking up, ultimately, it is both candidates’ ability to address Seattle’s most common issues. These issues often relate to affordability, which emphasizes higher cost of living, expensive housing, and more taxes to fill the city’s deficit, according to Washington Policy Center. Resolving the affordability crisis is only one of the many factors which residents will use to cast a vote on Seattle’s next mayor. 

With Washington’s General Election approaching fast on Nov. 4, it is important to recognize the power of our vote, even more for local elections, and share our voice. This will help shape the future of our Washington community. View your voter registration and track your ballot at My Voter Information on the King County website. You can additionally view the candidates and measures that are on your specific ballot through the same link. For assistance in ballot drop box resources and vote center locations, visit the King County Elections website homepage, which includes an additional fact sheet to help learn more about the general election. Whether it is the presidential election or the mayoral election, your vote will matter and help share your voice in our government. It is time to take advantage of the resources available to you to learn more about the upcoming election and make an informed choice.