Rumor Has It…

While the internet is a convenient place to share and find information, it has also become a source of inaccurate information about elections in Washington and across the U.S. From the security of mail-in ballots to who is eligible to vote, it’s not always easy to separate fact from fiction. That’s why the Office of the Secretary of State is dedicated to ensuring every Washingtonian has access to accurate election information.  

This page is a hub where you can find official information that clarifies trending rumors found on social media regarding Washington’s election system. 

Reality: Vote-by-mail is secure.

Rumor: Vote-by-mail enables fraud and is not secure. 

Facts: Washington’s vote-by-mail system uses multiple layers of safeguards to minimize fraud and keep our elections safe, secure, and accessible. Despite claims of vote-by-mail enabling widespread fraud, the system of tabulation equipment, verification processes, and trained election staff ensure every valid vote is verified and counted correctly.  

Before a ballot can even be accepted, election staff verify the signature on the return envelope to ensure that a ballot from only a registered voter is accepted. Only one ballot per voter will be counted in each election. Election officials track when a voter’s ballot is accepted to ensure no additional ballots are counted after that. Voters can also see when their ballot has been accepted at VoteWA.gov. Under Washington State Administrative Code, the secretary of state cannot certify any voting system if it uses wireless communication in any way. A voting system is the software and equipment used to cast, count, and report vote tallies. Before use in any election, all voting systems must meet standards set by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and pass state inspection and testing to confirm the lack of wireless communication. Pre- and post-election audits further ensure tabulation systems are working correctly and providing accurate results.  

Ballot counting and processing are also open for public observation, providing transparency throughout. Learn more about how Washington election officials protect your vote on our Securing Your Vote page.   

 

Reality: Washington elections maintain a high level of transparency.

Rumor: Washington elections are not transparent.  

Facts: Washington’s elections are designed to be both transparent and secure, giving voters confidence in the process. Every step, from the number of ballots issued to the final results, is carefully documented and published online. Ballot return statistics are regularly updated on the OSOS elections web page during an election, showing how many ballots have been returned, challenged, and accepted leading up to the day results are certified. 

While ballots are being processed, highly trained election workers carefully verify and handle them under strict security measures, with trained observers ensuring transparency every step of the way. Some counties even livestream their ballot processing for voters to watch from home. If you’re interested in observing, contact your local county elections office to learn about becoming a trained observer.   

Starting at 8 p.m. on election day, votes on the ballots are counted and reported. You can track the most up-to-date information on your county elections website or view results on the Office of the Secretary of State results web page. Once results are certified, counties submit a full reconciliation report accounting for every ballot in the election. These reports detail everything from the number of ballots issued in each county to the number of ballots challenged or rejected. Reconciliation reports are available on the "Data” page for each year and election listed on the Election Results and Voters’ Pamphlets page. 

 

Reality: Election workers count every verified ballot — they don’t pick and choose which ballots are accepted.

Rumor: Election workers reject certain ballots to influence election results. 

Facts: Election workers do not have the authority to reject ballots, but they can challenge them for specific reasons, such as a missing or mismatched signature. When this happens, voters are notified and given a chance to resolve their ballot challenge before the election is certified.  

Only the county canvassing board — made up of the county auditor, prosecuting attorney, and chair of the county legislative authority — can decide whether a challenged ballot is counted. Canvassing boards review all challenged ballots during the canvassing process. At least two of the three board members must agree on any decision — one person cannot unilaterally reject a ballot.  

To verify that your vote was counted, you can check your ballot status at VoteWA.gov or contact your county elections office. Voters can also sign up for text notifications at VoteWA.gov or by texting “VOTE” to 868392 to receive updates when their ballot is received, accepted, or challenged.  

Additionally, tampering with or throwing away voted ballots is a crime punishable under Washington state law.

 

Reality: Washington election workers verify ballot envelope signatures.

Rumor: Washington does not check ballot envelope signatures. 

Facts: Signature verification is an important step in preventing fraud and ensuring that only ballots from registered Washington voters are counted. Before your ballot is even removed from its return envelope, trained election workers verify that your signature matches the one on your voter registration. For Washingtonians who registered to vote through the Department of Licensing, that signature is the same one used on their driver’s license, permit, or state ID. 

Election workers are trained by experts in signature verification, and every ballot envelope signature is reviewed. If a signature isn’t accepted after the first review, a different reviewer conducts the second review. If the signature doesn’t pass a second review, the elections office will contact the voter and send a signature cure form. Signatures under review are not verified unless this form is completed. Forms can be returned up until the day before county certification.  

If you would like to update your signature on file, contact your county elections office for more information. 

 

Reality: Non-citizens are not eligible to vote in Washington.  

Rumor: Washington registers non-citizens to vote. 

Facts: You must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible to vote in Washington state. A full list of voter eligibility requirements can be found on the Voter Eligibility web page.  

Washington’s voter registration process requires proof of identity such as a valid Washington driver's license number, permit, state identification card number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. This information is verified against records from the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) and the Social Security Administration (SSA).  

If a voter’s registration information does not match the records on file with DOL or SSA, they may be provisionally registered. However, their ballot will not be counted until they provide valid identification. Knowingly casting a ballot while ineligible is a class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Many state election laws — including those regarding voter eligibility, registration, and voter roll maintenance — can be found in our state Constitution, RCW 29A, and WAC 434. According to WAC, OSOS is required to report identified voter fraud.

 

Additional election facts

Reality: Albert sensors do not allow for outside interference in elections.

Rumor: Using Albert sensors allows for federal interference in Washington elections.  

Facts: Albert Network Monitoring and Management, commonly referred to as an Albert sensor, is an intrusion detection system used by most county elections offices in Washington. These sensors passively monitor a network, detecting and providing real-time notification of any threats or unauthorized access to networks. Albert sensors do not alter or interfere with network activity — they simply detect and report potential threats to network security.  

When an Albert sensor detects a potential threat, a 24/7/365 security operations center through the Center for Internet Security (CIS) analyzes the report and alerts the affected county elections office. Albert sensors do not collect or access sensitive elections data. More information about Albert sensors is available on the CIS website.  

Reality: A voter’s ability to print their own replacement ballot does not enable voter fraud.  

Rumor: Voters can commit voter fraud by printing and returning multiple ballots.  

Facts: In Washington, voters can print their own replacement ballots in addition to requesting a replacement from their county elections office or by logging into VoteWA.gov. Although you can print your own ballot, election officials will verify the signature included and only count one ballot per voter. Even if a voter prints and returns multiple replacement ballots, only the first signature-verified ballot will be accepted and counted. Your voter registration is updated to reflect an accepted ballot, indicating any additional ballots you return will not be counted. 

Replacement ballots should be issued if a voter’s ballot is destroyed, damaged, lost, or not received by mail. The county auditor keeps a record of all requested replacement ballots, as required by law. If a replacement ballot has been requested under your name, it will be shown on your account in VoteWA.gov.  

Reality: People with felony convictions can vote after they are released from total confinement.  

Rumor: People who are incarcerated with felony convictions can vote while in prison.  

Facts: In 2022, Washington restored the right to vote for people with felony convictions, meaning that anyone with a felony conviction can vote as long as they are not currently in total confinement. Individuals regain their voting rights immediately upon release from total confinement but must register or re-register to vote if they wish to participate in elections.  

Misdemeanor convictions or convictions in juvenile court do not affect voting eligibility. For more information, visit the Felony Convictions and Voting Rights web page or contact your county elections office with questions about voting while incarcerated.  

Reality: Voters do not have to vote for the same party in the General Election that they did in the Presidential Primary.  

Rumor: Voters have to vote for the same party in the General Election that they did in the Presidential Primary.  

Facts: The Presidential Primary is the only election in Washington where a voter is required to disclose their party preference. Voters mark a party box and sign the declaration written by that party during the Presidential Primary because this election helps the major political parties choose a presidential nominee.  

Voters must declare a party affiliation during the Presidential Primary because they can only participate in the nomination process for one party. This means a voter can participate in the Presidential Primary and a caucus, but not for two separate parties. A voter’s party affiliation is removed from their voting record after 60 days. More information about presidential primaries and party affiliation in Washington is available on the Presidential Primary FAQ page.  

Reality: Election officials count all ballots regardless of party affiliation in the Presidential Primary. 

Rumor: Election officials don’t count some ballots based on declared party in the Presidential Primary. 

Facts: All signature-verified ballots cast in the Presidential Primary are counted. These ballots only determine which candidate major political parties nominate for the presidential election — not which candidate is elected to office as president of the United States. Because Washington voters do not declare a party affiliation when they register to vote, they must select one for the Presidential Primary to ensure voters only participate on behalf of one party. Minor political parties use a separate process and are not included on the Presidential Primary ballot.  

As ballots are processed and counted, voters can check the status of their ballot by logging in to VoteWA.gov or by signing up for text notifications. More information about the presidential primaries and party affiliation in Washington is available on the Presidential Primary FAQ page.