Overview
- The statewide top‑two primary took place Tuesday, Aug. 4, with initial returns posted after 8 p.m. and county offices continuing to verify and count ballots.
- Pre‑deadline participation was unusually low, with roughly 19.9% of mailed ballots returned before Election Day and millions of ballots still outstanding for processing.
- Washington’s all‑mail system requires ballots to be postmarked or deposited by the deadline and uses a single ballot where the two highest vote‑getters advance regardless of party.
- Several high‑profile U.S. House contests remain active under tabulation, most notably the 3rd District where Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces Republican John Braun (who received President Donald Trump’s endorsement) and the open 4th District created after Rep. Dan Newhouse’s December 2025 decision not to run.
- County canvasses must finish in mid‑August and the Secretary of State will certify results by Aug. 21, outcomes that could reshape competitive fall races and affect which districts national parties target this autumn.