³ÉÈËXÕ¾

MYNORTHWEST POLITICS

It’s primary election day — here’s what you need to know

Aug 5, 2025, 10:21 AM | Updated: 12:00 pm

Photo: With nine days until the election, Washington ballot returns are coming in at a slower pace ...

Washington ballots await being counted. (Photo courtesy of ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7)

(Photo courtesy of ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7)

It’s Primary Election Day in Washington, and voters across the state are helping shape the races that will define November.

From city council to county executive, crowded fields will be narrowed to two contenders in each race.

It’s not the most popular ballot of the year, according to Halei Watkins with King County Elections. But in many ways, it may be the most important. The candidates on today’s ballot will help decide how tax dollars are spent — on roads, transportation, parks, and schools.

One of the more closely watched contests is for Seattle mayor. A recent public poll shows a statistical tie between incumbent Bruce Harrell and challenger Katie Wilson.

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio and Seattle Red conducted interviews with many of the Seattle mayoral candidates: Katie Wilson, incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Joe Mallahan, Ry Armstrong, Joe Molloy, Thaddeus Whelan, and Clinton Bliss.

Find primary election results

Primary election results will be available on the Washington Secretary of State’s website, .

For a full list of candidates and measures in each county, .

More on the primary election

Ballots must be postmarked or dropped off by 8 p.m. Tuesday. The results for the primary election in Washington will be released on August 5 around 8 p.m.

The two candidates with the most votes will advance to the general election and appear on the ballot in November.

Two Washington counties are not participating: Garfield County and Columbia County, Stuart Holmes, director of elections for the Washington Secretary of State, told ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio.

Results will be certified by each county on August 19. The Secretary of State will certify the final results by August 22.

The Secretary of State noted all results posted before certification are unofficial. 

MyNorthwest Politics

Photo: With nine days until the election, Washington ballot returns are coming in at a slower pace ...

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio staff

It’s primary election day — here’s what you need to know

Primary election results will be released on August 5.

2 hours ago

primary...

Heather Bosch

The argument for voting in the primary

As of Monday morning, only 15.5% of registered King County voters had turned in their ballots for the Washington primary.

18 hours ago

Texas...

Associated Press

Why dozens of Democrats left Texas and how Republicans want to punish them

Dozens of Democratic state lawmakers in Texas have scattered to points across the country.

22 hours ago

tariffs (2)...

Heather Bosch

WA businesses: Americans will end up paying for tariffs

Washington businesses are feeling the impact from sweeping tariff's put in place by President Donald Trump.

1 day ago

burien city council...

John Curley Show

‘A big fat lie’: Burien council member slams DESC-run facility over lack of treatment

A Burien City Council member voiced her frustrations with a DESC-run shelter over a lack of treatment.

3 days ago

tariffs seattle businesses...

Luke Duecy and Frank Lenzi

Local ports watching tariff trade deals closely

Local ports watching closely now that tariff trade deal deadline arrives

4 days ago

It’s primary election day — here’s what you need to know