Heritage Foundation Ranked Washington 46th in Integrity
The state placed near the bottom of a national election scorecard evaluating voter identification and registration laws.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Elections
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The Heritage Foundation has ranked Washington 46th out of 51 jurisdictions in its 2026 Election Integrity Scorecard. The foundation assessed states across 15 areas including ballot rules and voter registration maintenance.
Why it matters
The ranking reflects Heritage’s updated methodology, which places a higher emphasis on proof-of-citizenship requirements and voter-list maintenance procedures. By evaluating these specific metrics, the scorecard aims to provide recommendations for states seeking to tighten their election laws and administrative procedures.
Washington earned 18 out of 21 points in the accuracy of voter registration lists category. The evaluation process considered 15 distinct areas of election law, while Tennessee led the nation with a total score of 87 points.
The players
The Heritage Foundation
This conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C., frequently develops policy recommendations for state and federal election laws.
Secretary of State Hobbs
This official serves as the chief elections officer for Washington and is responsible for managing the state's voter registration and balloting systems.
The details
Washington, which has utilized vote-by-mail systems since 1983, maintains a centralized statewide voter-registration database that undergoes updates monthly. Between 2008 and 2025, the state recorded five documented cases of voter fraud out of approximately 90 million ballots cast during that period.
Timeline
Washington began using vote-by-mail systems in 1983.
Five documented cases of voter fraud occurred between 2008 and 2025.
Secretary of State Hobbs defended election security efforts in August 2026.
The Heritage Foundation released its updated scorecard in September 2026.
Political Context
Critics of the scorecard argue that the emphasis on specific security measures like proof-of-citizenship disproportionately penalizes states with long-standing mail-in voting traditions. Conversely, proponents contend these metrics are essential to restoring public confidence in the accuracy and maintenance of voter rolls.
The ranking does not change current state voting laws or registration requirements for Washington residents. Citizens will continue to use the established vote-by-mail process, with their registration information managed through the existing centralized database.
The takeaway
While the scorecard highlights specific areas for potential policy changes, the state's actual record shows a low incidence of documented fraud over the last 17 years. Voters should note that administrative rankings often reflect a think tank's specific policy preferences rather than systemic failures.
Further reading
For more information on the state's voting procedures and history, visit the Washington Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Center Square.
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