Washington voters face key House races and tax measure

In Bellingham, Marysville, and Lake Stevens, voters are casting ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with polls closing at 8 p.m. Local time. Washington conducts its elections largely by mail, and residents can find their specific polling place information at vote.gov. Although there is no U.S. Senate or Governor election in Washington this year, the ballot is packed with significant federal and state choices that will shape the next two years of local and national policy.

The primary federal contest for Washington voters is for the U.S. House of Representatives, where all seats in the state are on the ballot. The Associated Press notes that this midterm election is being viewed as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term. In the national context, Republicans hold 218 seats in the House while Democrats hold 214, with one independent and some vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority, a threshold that makes every vote in competitive districts critical.

Washington state voters are also deciding the fate of three statewide ballot measures, including Initiative 645, which proposes to repeal the state tax on household income over $1 million. Ballotpedia describes this measure as a direct vote on whether to prohibit state and local taxes on individual income. This issue is part of a broader national conversation about the cost of living, with the Associated Press reporting that about seven in ten U.S. Adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction, largely due to high prices.

The state's legislative and judicial races are equally prominent on the ballot. Voters in Whatcom County are selecting members for the Washington State Senate and State House, as well as judges for the State Supreme Court and intermediate appellate courts. These local and state offices will determine how laws are passed and enforced within the state, providing a layer of governance that operates independently of the federal results.

Nationally, the U.S. Senate race is a tight contest with 35 seats up for grabs. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, while Democrats hold 45, plus two independents who caucus with them. For Democrats to gain a majority, they need a net gain of four seats. There are 13 battleground races, including in Maine, Iowa, and Michigan, where the 2024 presidential margins were narrow. In Maine, Senator Susan Collins faces a competitive challenge from former state Senate President Troy Jackson, a race that has been made competitive by economic strain and tariffs.

In the House race, 46 districts are considered battlegrounds, with 25 held by Democrats and 21 by Republicans. Republicans are bracing for potential losses in the House while fighting to hold the Senate. One or two seats in either chamber could tip the balance of power. This high stakes environment has led to a massive spending war, with the 2026 elections expected to be the most expensive in history due to heavy fundraising by both parties and affiliated groups.

The mood among voters is marked by frustration with economic conditions. 35 percent of U.S. Adults approve of President Trump's job performance, while only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. Many voters blame the president for high prices. In Washington, the decision to repeal the income tax on high earners aligns with this national sentiment, offering a potential relief valve for voters who feel the financial squeeze.

Election administration has been a focal point in the lead-up to voting day. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from implementing a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, a move that critics feared would disenfranchise eligible voters. The U.S. Postal Service has added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. In Washington, where mail-in voting is the standard, these logistical efforts are crucial to ensuring that every ballot received by the deadline is counted.

As polls close at 8 p.m., the focus turns to how the results will impact the next two years of Congress. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings are likely to begin. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. For Washington voters, the outcome will determine the state's representation in Congress and the direction of state fiscal policy regarding income taxes.

The election is also a test for the Republican Party's ability to beat the historical midterm pattern where a president's party usually loses seats. Republicans have relied on redistricting in states like Florida and Texas to gain an advantage, but new maps may not vote as predicted. The Associated Press notes that many Republican candidates have kept their distance from President Trump, who has continued to make claims about voting fraud. This dynamic is playing out in Washington, where local candidates are navigating the national narrative while focusing on state-specific issues.

With more than 57 million people having already voted as of Monday, the early vote has surpassed the total from four years ago in many closely watched states. This high level of participation suggests a decisive outcome is possible. As the day draws to a close, the attention of Whatcom County residents, from the shores of Bellingham Bay to the suburban neighborhoods of Marysville, turns to the counting of ballots and the final tally of the 2026 midterm elections.