Learn About Challenged Ballots

During an election, track your ballot at VoteWA.gov. Ballot status will update as your ballot is received and processed. Please allow 3-5 business days for your ballot to be posted as received.

Ballot Status Reports

Ballot status reports are posted to the WA Secretary of State's website after 5:00 pm every business day, beginning two weeks prior to the Election and continuing until the Election is certified.

Also known as the matchback report, the ballot status reports contain ballots received, accepted, or challenged. All voter information in these reports is public information. Usage of this data is subject to RCW 29A.08.740 and RCW 29A.08.720.

In these reports, “rejected” is a temporary term (in many cases) that means the ballot is being challenged. Most challenged ballots have until the day before certification to be cured with the proper form. The County Canvassing Boards, which meet on November 23, are the only authority that can officially reject a ballot.

Ballot Status Categories

  • Sent
    • Ballot has been marked as sent by the county (date may be in the future)
  • Received
    • Ballot has been received, but signature has not been reviewed.
  • Accepted
    • Signature review has been completed, the voter has been credited with voting, and the ballot is accepted.
  • Rejection/Challenged + Challenged Reason
    • Signature/ballot has been challenged. The county election official will contact the voter.

Rejection/Challenged Reasons

Rejection/Challenged ResonDefinition
The status for these codes could change during processing.
HoldVoter returned a previously issued ballot that has been superseded.
  • If the ballot returned is the same ballot style as the current ballot, it will be counted.
  • If different ballot style, the ballot must be held until 7 days after Election Day and then duplicated onto eligible ballot style if the current ballot is not returned.

ReviewThe ballot is being held for signature review. Following the review, this status will change.
These challenge codes require an action by the voter. The voter will be sent a letter to cure the ballot.
UnsignedThe voter did not sign the declaration on the outside of the return envelope. The voter will be contacted by the county election official.
Signature Does Not MatchThe signature on the return envelope does not match any signature on file. The voter will be contacted by the county election official.
ID RequiredThe voter registration has failed the ID check and must provide ID before the ballot can be counted. The voter will be contacted by the county election official.
Other than VoterThe signature on the return envelope does not match any signature on file. The signature on the return envelope appears to be a different name. The voter will be contacted by the county election official.
Power of AttorneyThe signature on the return envelope was completed by someone other than the voter and the signer is identified as Power of Attorney. The voter must make a mark (X) and have it witnessed by two people. The voter will be contacted by the county election official.


Need to update your signature? 

Over time, your signature may change. Have you changed your name? Have you had physical changes that have altered how you sign? Have you changed the way you sign your name since registering for the first time? If you answered yes, you should update your signature on your voter registration.