Registering to Vote in Pierce County

To register to vote in Pierce County, you must be:

A citizen of the United States;
At least 18 years of age by the date of the next election;
A resident of Pierce County;
Not presently denied your civil rights as a result of a felony conviction.
(Visit the Secretary of State's web page Felons and Voting Rights for more information)

If you register by mail and it is the first time you have registered to vote in Pierce County, you must record your Washington State Drivers License or Identification number or if you do not have a Washington State Drivers License or Identification number, you must record the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number on your application to register to vote.

If you fail to provide a Washington State Drivers License number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number you will be required to provide a copy of identification at the time you vote for the first time in Pierce County.

Registration Locations

You may also obtain registration forms at:

Pierce County Auditor's Office;
All city and town clerks' offices;
All public schools;
All state offices;
Public libraries;
All City of Tacoma fire stations;
All staffed fire stations in unincorporated Pierce County.

Or, you can have a form mailed to you by calling the Election Department at (253) 798-7430 or if long distance, 1-800-446-4979 during business hours.

If you are not currently registered, in order for you to vote, your mail-in registration form must be postmarked 30 days before any upcoming election.

However, if you are a new registrant in Washington State, you may register to vote in person at the Auditor's Office no less than 15 days prior to the election and must vote by absentee ballot for that election only.

Motor Voter Registration

At the time you acquire or renew your Washington State drivers license, you will have the opportunity to register to vote, change your name and/or address.

Name Change

If you change your name, you must complete a new registration application. You can download a form, come by in person, or call and we will mail you a form. All name changes must be completed at least 30 days prior to an election to be valid for that election.

After You Have Registered

After you have registered, you will be mailed a voter registration card which shows your polling place (if you are a poll voter), and the districts you are eligible to vote on. Your districts will be assigned based on the geographical location of your residential address. Your ballot will list only those candidates and measures for your district.

Moving Within Pierce County

You may notify the Election Department in person, by mail, by phone, or by completing our on-line change of address form. Or, you may fill out a 'Voter Change of Address' card at your local post office. You will need to supply your old and new addresses and date of birth. Address changes received within 30 days of an election will not be processed until the election is certified.

Moving Out of Pierce County

You must complete a new registration application in your new county or state to update your voter registration. Once registered there, that county or state should cancel your previous registration in Pierce County.

Cancellation of Registration

You will only be removed from the registration files if you fill out a cancellation card or register to vote in another county or state. If a voter is deceased, another voter may complete a deceased voter card. A family member can also notify the office in writing of a voter's death. Please contact our office to request a cancellation card or deceased voter card. 253-798-VOTE (8683) or 800-446-4979