Voter file data: L2 Data · Registration counts: Washington Secretary of State · Updated May 16, 2026

Washington Voter Registration

& Party Affiliation Statistics

Total Registered

5,253,687

Most Active Primary Party

Democratic (52.11%)

Independent / NPP

20.48%

Primary Type

State:Nonpartisan Top-Two

Pres:Semi-Open Primary

Overview Registration Primary Rules Turnout

At a Glance

Washington at a Glance

Key voter registration statistics · Updated 2026

Registered Voters

5,253,687

across 39 counties

Independent / NPP

20.48%

of registered voters

2024 Turnout

70.2%

of eligible voters

Primary Participation

Primary Ballot Participation by Party

Washington does not register voters by party. The breakdown below is modeled from recent primary ballot history.

52.11%

27.41%

20.48%

Democratic52.11%

Republican27.41%

Independent/Other20.48%

Party	Registered Voters	% of Total
Democratic	2,737,807	52.11%
Republican	1,440,175	27.41%
Independent/Other	1,075,705	20.48%

Note: Washington does not collect party affiliation at voter registration. These figures are modeled from L2 voter-file analysis of which primary ballot each voter pulled in recent cycles — they reflect primary participation, not party registration.

Primary Rules

How Washington's Primary Works

Washington uses different primary rules for state/congressional and presidential elections

State / Congressional

⚖

Nonpartisan Top-Two

All candidates appear on a single ballot regardless of party. All registered voters can participate. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election.

How It Works

There is one primary ballot for everyone. Candidates list their party preference, but voters aren't limited by it. The two candidates with the most votes advance, even if they're from the same party.

IVP's Position

This is the reform IVP pioneered in California with Proposition 14 (2010). It gives every voter an equal voice in every election and forces candidates to compete for all voters, not just partisan bases.

See all primary systems by state →

Presidential

⚖

Semi-Open Primary

Voters don't have to publicly declare a party affiliation, but they must request a specific party's ballot at the polling place.

How It Works

Similar to open primaries, but the party whose ballot you request may be recorded. Some states allow parties to restrict their primaries to registered members, creating a hybrid system.

IVP's Position

Marginally better access for independents, but the party-based structure remains the core limitation.

See all primary systems by state →

Turnout

Voter Turnout in Washington

How many eligible Washington residents actually vote?

Recent Elections

Election	Turnout	Voted
2024 General	70.2%	3,961,569
2022 General	55.4%	3,067,686
2020 General	75.3%	4,116,894
2024 Presidential Primary	35.3%	1,708,308
2024 State Primary	40.9%	1,994,096

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