The Local Start: County Canvassing Boards
The certification process for every federal and state election in Washington begins at the local level. Each of the state's 39 counties has a canvassing board responsible for the initial review and validation of the vote. These aren't mysterious bodies; by state law, each board is composed of three specific officials: the county auditor, the county prosecuting attorney, and the chair of the county’s legislative body (like the county council or commission). These officials, or their designated deputies, oversee the entire local canvassing process. This work is done in public meetings, ensuring transparency as they go about their duties.
The Job of the Canvassing Board
The main job of a county canvassing board is to ensure every valid vote is counted accurately. This involves
more than just looking at the final tally from the voting machines. Board members are responsible for determining the validity of challenged ballots, such as those where a voter's signature on the mail-in envelope doesn't appear to match the one on file. They follow statewide standards to determine voter intent on ballots that might be marked ambiguously and rule on provisional ballots. They also research and resolve any discrepancies found during the count. The board's role is to methodically review these issues, not to simply rubber-stamp the initial election night totals. Once this meticulous review is complete, they certify the final results for their county.
A Firm Deadline at the County Level
This local process operates on a strict, legally defined schedule. For a November general election, which includes congressional races, Washington county canvassing boards have exactly 21 days to complete their work and certify the results. This period allows election workers to process all ballots that were lawfully cast, including those postmarked by Election Day but which arrive in the mail afterward. It also provides the necessary time for the canvassing board to address challenged ballots and conduct its due diligence. Once certified, the county auditor immediately sends a report of the final vote totals to Washington’s Secretary of State.
The Final Step: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of State serves as Washington's chief election officer. After receiving the certified results from all 39 counties, the Secretary of State's office aggregates the votes for all statewide and federal offices, including U.S. House and Senate races. This statewide compilation is the final step in the process. State law requires the Secretary of State to certify the final, official results for the entire state no later than the 30th day after the election. This act of certification makes the election results official and is the legal basis for declaring the winners of congressional and other statewide contests. In the rare event a county board refused to certify its results without a valid reason, the Secretary of State has the authority to step in, examine the records, and certify the results for that county.
