Where do I drop off my ballot in Seattle?

Vibemap's guide to dropping off your ballot in Seattle

We've been inspired by civic leaders who've been encouraging people to make a plan to vote during the 2020 election. As you exercise your right to vote, why not make it a day or afternoon of exploring the city and supporting local businesses. Below are our picks for the top 5 locations to drop-off your ballot in Seattle and tips for what to do nearby. 

Important Notes:

You’ll want to drop off your ballot at the Rainier Beach Community Center just for the opportunity to go to King Donuts. A Seattle icon, King Donuts is a place where you can get both donuts, teriyaki and do your laundry. That’s right. What more could you want? Although if you do want a bit more, you can go get a glass of wine at Kaffa Coffee & Wine Bar and do some shopping at Sharifs Grocery & Halel, the largest Halal meat wholesaler in Washington. End your trip with a visit to Be’er Sheva Park and the Rainier Urban Farm & Beach which has the second largest community garden in Seattle. 

If majestic mountain views, playtime vibes and sweeping Puget Sound views are more your thing, you’ll want to drop off your ballot at Magnolia Park. Head down to the water and dip your toes in the frigid water as you ferry watch before heading on a hike up through the Magnolia Bluffs to the Magnolia Boulevard Viewpoint and through to the W McGraw Street Shoreline Street End. Afterwards, reward yourself by heading into Magnolia and get a coffee and pastry at Petit Pierre Bakery and Peruvian food at Pink Salt and take a peek at the large salt wall at the bar.

Perhaps the most classic drop-off experience - the King County Administration Building Drop-Box. It pairs well with the old school vibes of the Pioneer Square area where after dropping off your ballot you can walk over to Smith Tower, once the tallest building on the west coast and pick up burgers and a beer at Collin’s Pub. Take your food and go to either Occidental Square or Pioneer Square Park. Afterwards grab coffee at Cherry Street Coffeehouse and pick up a book on Seattle’s architectural history at architecture & design bookshop Peter Miller Books (a Seattle design institution) and end your journey with a visit to the Seattle waterfront to watch the ferries shuffle across the sound. 

Dropping your ballot off in South Park at the South Park Library Drop-Box means you have the chance to check out the Duwamish River, Seattle’s only river. First head to Main Street and pick up a coffee or okazu pan from Resistencia and a to-go lunch at either Uncle Eddies, Jalisco or Loretta’s Northwesterner (previously ranked as one of the top four burger joints in the US by Thrillist). After you have your supplies, go to the Duwamish Waterway Park and sit along the water for a picnic. Round out your day by checking out the South Park Bridge and pick up a bottle of wine to take back with you at Left Bank or a growler of beer from Seattle-Lite Brewing.

Arguably the most buzzing location to drop-off your Seattle ballot is the drop-box at Broadway and Howell in the heart of Capitol Hill. Boundless options of what to do and places to support while you’re in the area. Start with a trip to Elliot Bay Bookstore, one of the largest independently run bookstores in the country and then get takeout ceviche and house margaritas from Poquitos for a picnic at Cal Anderson Park. Be sure to end your adventure with something sweet, either a scoop of honey lavender at Molly Moon’s Ice Cream or a cupcake from Cupcake Royal, who have been known to hand out free cupcakes to those with an “I Voted” sticker.  

If you’re looking to get fit as you drop-off your Seattle ballot, try running a few laps at Garfield High School’s track before dropping off your ballot at the Garfield Community Center. Depending on the time of day, reward yourself with a horchata iced latte from Golden Wheat or a beer on the patio at the dive bar Twilight Exit. Not to be missed is the Fat’s Chicken and Waffles or if you’re feeling like Ethiopina, Meskel Ethiopian has the best doro wat and injera you can find in the neighborhood. 

If you’re looking for the best urban panoramic views of Seattle on your ballot drop-off day, the box at Waterway 19 park doesn’t disappoint. Located adjacent to Gas Works Park, you’ll be able to spend time either before or after at the former coal gasification plant, circumnavigating the old machinery and enjoying the views of the city from the shores of Lake Union. Afterwards choose to go east or west. If west, go to Westward and sit outside in Adirondack chairs and order seafood. If east, head to Fremont and get a beer at Fremont Brewing or pick up a gluten-free pastry at Flying Apron and pick up a book at Ophelia’s Books. Of course, if you haven’t been to the Fremont Troll, make sure to hit that up to close out your day. 

Okay, so Skyline isn’t technically part of Seattle proper, but you can still drop-off your ballot at Skyline Park and it’s worth it to explore all of the hidden gems located here. After dropping off your ballot, pick up coffee at long-time community staple Nevzat’s Espresso and walk to Catfish Corner for the baked cajun catfish (if you’re a long time Seattle resident you’ll remember Catfish Corner from their days in the Central District!). After lunch keep walking to Lakeridge Park and wander the Taylor Creek Trail. End your adventure by finding the 72nd Avenue South Shoreline Street End one of the few publicly accessible access points to Lake Washington in this neighborhood. 

For a family-friendly ballot drop-off experience, consider dropping off your ballot at the Green Lake Community Center and following that up with a trip to the Woodland Park Zoo which is now taking timed reservations. After you’ve chilled with the penguins, walk or bike around Green Lake on the 2.8 mile Green Lake Loop and seriously consider renting a sailboat next summer at the Green Lake Small Craft Center. Follow it up by introducing or reintroducing your kids to Latin American food at Mojito (try the Vaca Frita) or caribbean food at Bongos. Yum.

Although a true Seattleite has explored and re-explored Ballard many times over, there’s always something new to do or see. Start with dropping off your ballot outside the Ballard Branch Library and pick up lunch at either cult favorite Katsu Burger or Señor Moose Cafe, a Mexican food joint often known for having some of the best tacos in Seattle. Eat your food at Marvin’s Garden, the former location of independent Ballard’s City Hall and end your adventure by picking up a “Mystery Box” from Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop and adopting something large and leafy at the Palm Room.