Washington became the 42nd state on November 11, 1889.

Its civic life reflects Pacific trade, technology, aerospace, agriculture, forests, ports, tribal nations, military installations, and debates over housing, transportation, climate, water, and wildfire risk. Public decisions can look very different in Seattle, Spokane, the Yakima Valley, coastal communities, tribal lands, and rural counties. This page exists to get residents from background context to Washington’s actual representatives and the primary sources that document state government.

By and by

State Motto
U.S. Representatives10Population-based districts
U.S. Senators2Same for every state
StatehoodNovember 11, 188942nd state admitted
Federal Delegation

Washington's voice in Congress.

Every state has two senators. Its number of representatives is set by population and can change after each census.

12Members total
10Districts
119thCurrent Congress
About Congress About the Senate About the House State Election Office

Washington's Delegation

Choose a member to see their contact information, congressional work, and committee assignments.

Senator

Maria Cantwell (Democrat)

Senator

Patty Murray (Democrat)

District 1

Suzan DelBene (Democrat)

District 2

Rick Larsen (Democrat)

District 3

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Democrat)

District 4

Dan Newhouse (Republican)

District 5

Michael Baumgartner (Republican)

District 6

Emily Randall (Democrat)

District 7

Pramila Jayapal (Democrat)

District 8

Kim Schrier (Democrat)

District 9

Adam Smith (Democrat)

District 10

Marilyn Strickland (Democrat)

The states are the laboratories of democracy.

Justice Louis Brandeis

State Leadership

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Governor

Bob Ferguson (Democratic)

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Lieutenant Governor

Denny Heck (Democratic)

Quick Facts

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Capital

Olympia

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Population

Approximately 8.00 million

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Electoral votes

12

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Congressional districts

10

Official Links

Use these sources to check current state records, filings, elections, and public notices.

WA.gov

Official Washington state government portal.

Washington Legislature

State bill text, committee schedules, and session information.

Elections Office

Elections, voter registration, and official filings.

Congress.gov

Federal bill text, actions, sponsors, and public laws.

How Washington government works

Washington government works through executive agencies, the state legislature, and state courts. Use this tab to choose the right path: agencies for services, the legislature for bills and hearings, and courts for cases, records, forms, and legal-help resources.

Executive Branch

Governor, agencies, and public services

Washington’s executive branch is led by the governor and supported by statewide offices, departments, boards, and agencies. This is usually the best starting point for public services, licenses, benefits, public safety, transportation, revenue, employment, education, and other state-administered programs.

Legislative Branch

Washington State Legislature

Washington’s legislature introduces bills, holds committee hearings, debates policy, approves state budgets, conducts oversight, and represents districts across Washington.

Judicial Branch

Courts, records, and legal help

Washington’s judicial branch handles trial-court cases, appeals, court administration, records, forms, and legal-help resources. Visitors dealing with a court date, filing, case search, legal form, or self-help question should start with the official state judiciary resources.

Washington voting guide

This state-page tab brings together practical voting resources for Washington voters. You can register or update your registration, check registration status, find where to vote, review ballot resources, learn about mail or absentee voting, and use official election-calendar links for final deadlines and dates.

Voting Tools

Plain-language tools that open inside this state voting tab.

WA Links

Official Washington election-office links for deadlines, registration, polling places, ballots, accessibility, rights, and state election calendars.

Official election officeRegister to vote or update registrationCheck registration statusAbsentee, mail, and early voting informationFind your polling placeFind ballot and election informationVoting accessibility resourcesVoting rights resourcesElection calendar and dates

While we do our best to provide accurate information, be sure to use your official state election calendar for final details.