Starting July 15, a new law will allow you to register to vote online using your Social Security number in place of a driver’s license or state-issued ID number.

Washington’s automatic voter registration policy will also change. Currently, when you provide proof of U.S. citizenship to complete certain transactions with Washington state agencies—such as getting an enhanced driver’s license or ID with the Department of Licensing—you’re automatically registered to vote unless you opt out while at the state agency. Starting July 15, there won’t be an opportunity to opt out at the state agency, but you will receive a notice in the mail that gives you instructions on how to decline voter registration.

Online: Visit olvr.votewa.gov and follow the prompts. You’ll need a current Washington driver’s license, permit or ID card. Starting July 15, you can register online using the last four digits of your Social Security number.

By mail: Go to sos.wa.gov/elections, select Voter Registration and then choose Print a Voter Registration Form to Mail In. You may also request a registration form be mailed to you by going to apps.sos.wa.gov/elections/register-mail.aspx. On the registration form, you’ll be asked to provide a Washington driver’s license, permit or ID number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you don’t have one of those IDs, you can leave this section blank but must provide an alternative ID, such as a copy of a current utility bill or bank statement, to your county elections office. Mail or drop off your completed registration form at your county’s elections office. To find yours, see sos.wa.gov/elections, and under Voter Registration, select Find Your County Elections Office.

In person: Visit your county’s elections office during normal business hours.

Submit online registrations by Monday, July 29, at midnight. Mail registrations must be received by July 29 at close of business. In-person registrations may be completed during business hours or at any time before 8 p.m. on primary day. Check or update your current registration at voter.votewa.gov.

Washington uses a top-two primary system, which doesn’t require you to declare a party affiliation. All candidates—regardless of party—will be on the same ballot; the top two vote-getters advance to the general election.

All registered voters are automatically sent a vote-by-mail ballot for each election. Ballots are mailed no later than Friday, July 19. If you’ll be away during the election period or if you’ve moved, contact your county elections office to update your mailing address.

Return your completed ballot by mail, no postage needed; it must be postmarked by primary day. (The U.S. Postal Service recommends you mail your ballot at least one week before primary day.) You also may return your completed ballot to an official ballot drop box until 8 p.m. on primary day. To find a drop box location near you, log on to the state’s VoteWA portal at voter.votewa.gov.

See sos.wa.gov/elections. Under Voter Eligibility & Resources, select Military and Overseas Voters.

In-person voting opens on Friday, July 19. To locate your nearest voting center, contact your county elections office or log on to the state’s VoteWA portal at voter.votewa.gov.

If you’re registering to vote on primary day, you’ll need to provide a current Washington driver’s license, permit or ID card or the last four digits of your Social Security number, or an alternative form of identification. If you’re already registered, you don’t need to provide an ID. Election officials will compare the signature on your voter declaration against the signature collected when you registered to vote.

Tuesday, Aug. 6. Log on to the state’s VoteWA portal at voter.votewa.gov to find a map of voting centers in your area, along with their opening hours. Voting centers close at 8 p.m. —Grace Dickinson