Of 384 regular elections in Washington—165 (43%) are uncontested. An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. 

Of the 26 states where Ballotpedia is covering every election on Nov. 5, Washington has the 21st highest rate of uncontested elections. 

There are at least 17 office types up for election in Washington this year. 

Local judge has the highest rate of uncontested elections at 85%. Elections for the office of state supreme court justice have the next highest uncontested rate at 67%, followed by county commissioner at 30%.

Governor, local councilmember, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, insurance commissioner, natural resources commissioner, superintendent of schools, treasurer, and sheriff have the highest rate of contested elections at 100%. The next highest contested office type in Washington is U.S. senator and state senator at 85%, followed by U.S. representative and state representative at 82%.

Washington has a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature. Among states with Democratic trifectas, 55% of elections are uncontested and 45% are contested. Those rates for Republican trifectas are 64% and 36%, respectively. In states with a divided government, 56% of elections are uncontested and 44% are contested. 

Through October 2024, Ballotpedia has covered 36,068 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories in 2024 alone. Of that total, 27,164 (75%) were uncontested and 8,904 (25%) were contested. To learn more about this analysis, click here!