Washington

Washington

Welcome to the portal for Ballotpedia's coverage of Washington politics! Ballotpedia's encyclopedic coverage of Washington politics includes information on the local, state and federal levels, as well as state policies.

Washington, nicknamed "The Evergreen State," is bordered by Oregon, Idaho, Canada and the Pacific Ocean. The state is named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. It was the 42nd state to be admitted to the Union. While Olympia is the state’s capital, the city of Seattle is the state’s most populated city.

Washington has two members of the U.S. Senate, a total of ten members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 49 members of the State Senate and 98 members of the House of Representatives.

State Leadership

Governor

D

Bob Ferguson

Secretary of State

D

Steve Hobbs

Speaker of the House

D

Laurie Jinkins

Capital:

Olympia

Motto:

Al-ki

Translation:

By and By

Population:

7,715,946

Land Area of State:

66,455 square miles

Admitted to U.S.:

1889

Cities and counties in Washington[edit]

Ballotpedia provides comprehensive election coverage in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population and also covers mayoral, city council, and district attorney elections in every state capital. Additionally, Ballotpedia covers school board elections in the 200 largest U.S. school districts by enrollment.

• King County, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Spokane County

However, Ballotpedia is providing expanded, comprehensive local election coverage in Washington in 2025. Click here to find your county.

Washington fact checks[edit]

Policy issues in Washington[edit]

Budget: Budget and finances • Taxes‎
Civil liberties: Affirmative action • Campaign finance • Nonprofit regulation‎
Education: Charter schools • Higher education • Public education • School choice‎
Election: Ballot access requirements • Redistricting • Voting‎
Energy: Energy information • Fracking‎
Environment: Environmental information • Endangered species‎
Finance: Financial regulation information‎
Healthcare: Healthcare information • Medicaid spending • Effect of the Affordable Care Act‎
Immigration: Immigration information‎
Pensions: Public pensions‎