Tuesday, August 5 is Washington’s primary election day and there are several important races on the ballot for Seattle, including the city’s mayor. (The mayoral general election will be held on November 4, 2025). Ballots were sent out on July 18 and can be returned via drop box, no postage stamp needed. If yours is still sitting in a pile of mail, consider this your reminder to fill it out and drop it off by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday! If you want to know where to find the candidates’ platforms, where your closest ballot drop box is, or if you can go somewhere to vote in-person, we have the answers for you below.
Read on for everything you need to know!
Who are the candidates on the ballot?
Below, we’ve listed all of the candidates that you’ll see on your ballot and the positions for which they are running. If you’d like to read about each candidate’s platform, you can do so by clicking on the links embedded in the candidates’ names on kingcounty.gov.
City of Seattle, Mayor
- Joe Mallahan
- Ry Armstrong
- Isaiah Willoughby
- Bruce Harrell
- Clinton Bliss
- Thaddeus Whelan
- Joe Molloy
- Katie Wilson
City of Seattle, City Attorney
- Ann Davison
- Rory O’Sullivan
- Nathan Rouse
- Erika Evans
City of Seattle, Council District No. 2
- Adonis Ducksworth
- Eddie Lin
- Jamie Fackler
- Jeanie Chunn
City of Seattle, Council Position No. 8
- Jesse A. James
- Cooper Hall
- Alexis Mercedes Rinck
- Rachael Savage
- Ray A. Rogers
City of Seattle, Council Position No. 9
- Connor Nash
- Dionne Foster
- Sara Nelson
- Mia Jacobson
King County, Executive
- John Wilson
- Amiya Ingram
- Claudia Balducci
- Bill Hirt
- Don L Rivers
- Derek Chartrand
- Rebecca Williamson
- Girmay Zahilay
Seattle School District No. 1, Director District No. 2
- Eric Feeny
- Sarah Clark
- Kathleen Smith
Seattle School District No. 1, Director District No. 4
- Harsimran Kaur
- Gloria Suella Menchaca
- Joe Mizrahi
- Bill Campbell
- Laura Marie Rivera
Seattle School District No. 1, Director District No. 5
- Vivian Song
- Vivian van Gelder
- Landon Labosky
- Allycea Weil
- Julissa Sanchez
- Janis White
What measures are on the ballot?
There is one proposition for King County and one proposition for Seattle that voters can approve or reject. Read about them below.
King County Proposition No. 1: Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy.
“If approved, this proposition supports county, city, park district, and town parks, open space, and trails; recreation; public pools; and educational and civic venues.” (Source: kingcounty.gov) Read more here.
City of Seattle Proposition No. 1: Property Tax for Democracy Voucher Program.
“If approved, this proposition would replace an expiring levy to fund the City’s Democracy Voucher Program that provides public funds to participating candidates for certain elected offices.” (Source: kingcounty.gov) Read more here.
Where do I drop off my ballot?
There are three ways to return your ballot: by dropping it off in the mail (no postage stamp required!), dropping it off in an official ballot box (open 24 hours), or returning it in-person at a vote center. Looking for a drop box? Find your nearest ballot drop box location here.
Most Seattleites choose the convenience of dropping their ballots off in the mail or in ballot boxes, but vote centers are available for those who need help with their voter registration or with completing their ballot. Seattle’s vote center is located in Lumen Field Event Center, but there are also vote centers in Bellevue and other King County locations. See all the King County vote centers locations and hours here.
When is the deadline to vote?
Ballots must be signed and returned by Tuesday, August 5.
If you prefer to mail your ballot, it is recommended that you drop it in the mailbox by the Friday before Election Day to make sure it gets postmarked in time to be counted. If you’re returning yours in a drop box, it needs to be in a ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday. If returning your ballot in person, vote centers are open between 8:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
And one last thing: Don’t forget to sign your name on your ballot for it to be counted!