Eastsound, Washington Public Records

Washington State residents can register to vote online through the Secretary of State at www.vote.wa.gov, with a deadline of eight days before any election for online or mail registration, though in-person registration continues through Election Day. New registrants need a Washington State driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. The state operates entirely by mail-in voting, all registered voters automatically receive ballots by mail approximately 18 days before each election. Residents receive their ballots at their registered address and can return them by mail (postmarked by Election Day), at official ballot drop boxes (there is a 24-hour drop box location on Orcas Island, typically at the Eastsound Fire Station or similar public location, verify current location at sanjuanco.com/elections), or in person at the Elections Office in Friday Harbor during business hours. Because the community is unincorporated with no municipal government, there are no city council or mayoral elections; residents vote in San Juan County, state legislative, and federal elections. County elections include three County Council positions (elected countywide to staggered four-year terms), as well as elected positions for Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer, and Clerk. In the November 2024 general election, the county recorded approximately 72-75% voter turnout with roughly 12,500 ballots cast from approximately 16,500 registered voters, reflecting consistently high civic engagement rates - among the highest in Washington State. On November 3, 2026, voters will decide several significant races: the entire U.S. House of Representatives including Washington's 2nd Congressional District which covers San Juan County; all Washington State House of Representatives seats (the county is in the 40th Legislative District); and potentially San Juan County Council positions, County Sheriff (four-year term), and other county offices depending on the election cycle. Voters will also decide on state initiatives, constitutional amendments, and local measures such as school levies, fire district levies, and county propositions. Polling place lookup is not applicable in Washington as all voting is by mail, but voters can verify their registration status, ballot status, and drop box locations at www.vote.wa.gov or by contacting the San Juan County Elections Office. Public election records in Washington include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes under RCW 29A.08.710, with restrictions), campaign finance disclosure reports (searchable at the state Public Disclosure Commission website www.pdc.wa.gov for state and county candidates), candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. The county posts unofficial election results on election night and certified results after the canvassing period at www.sanjuanco.com/elections. Washington's vote-by-mail system allows voters to track their ballot status online at https://voter.votewa.gov/WhereToVote.aspx, confirming when the ballot was mailed, received, and counted.