King County Boomers Have Turned In FOUR TIMES As Many Ballots As Voters Under 35 This Election

The 2026 election could be another “change” election with younger challengers aiming to unseat longtime incumbents in several State legislative races around Seattle. But these young, scrappy candidates will likely have their best shot if their peers make it to the ballot box. And so far, per usual, older voters make up the vast majority of ballots in King County boxes. As of 1pm Monday, King County voters 65 years old and older have cast four times as many ballots as voters under the age of 35.

While this is not an unexpectedly disproportionate turnout, young voters should not accept it as inevitable! Voters have until 8pm Tuesday August 4 to cast their ballots.

According to King County Elections ballot return statistics, about 16.21% of registered voters have cast a ballot so far. That number will continue to climb until 8pm on Election Day. For instance, almost 40% of ballots came in on election day for the August primary last year, according to county data. 

Regardless, election after election, young people turn out at much lower rates than older people.

As of Monday afternoon, only about 19,000 people or 7% of registered voters between the ages of 25-34 and just 8,000 people or 6% of registered voters ages 18-24 have returned a ballot. In total, 11% of ballots cast so far come from voters under 35.

By contrast, voters 55 and older account for about 64% of all ballots cast so far. And the power still mostly lies with seniors — almost 48% of all ballots come from voters 65 and older. That’s a serious overrepresentation considering that demographic only accounts for about 13% of the population, according to County data. 

Historically, younger voters turn in their ballots later, but the underrepresentation still persists. In the last August primary, voters under 35 made up 17% of ballots cast while voters 55 and over accounted for 52% of ballots cast. 

And ballots have plenty of young candidates who could use a boost from their peers. Hannah Sabio-Howell, who is 30, is challenging incumbent Sen. Jamie Pedersen who has been in politics longer than some voters have been alive. 31 year-old Kelabe Tewolde is challenging Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos who assumed office in 1999 when Tewolde was likely still mastering his ABCs. Tatiana Brown, running for State Senate in the 37th, is still in her 20s. 

Ballot boxes close Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 8pm. Be there.