What is on the November 3, 2009 ballot?
All Voters:
State Measures
Pierce County Charter Amendments
Pierce County Auditor's Race
Port of Tacoma Commissioners
Depending upon where you live:
City and Town Council positions
School District Directors
Fire District Commissioners
Park and Recreation District Commissioners
Water District Commissioners
Sewer District Commissioners
How can I find out more information?
Please consult either your State Voters' Pamphlet or the Pierce County Local Voters' Pamphlet.
Click here for online version of State pamphlet.
Click here for online versions of the Pierce County pamphlets.
When will I get my voters' pamphlets?
The State pamphlets will arrive during the week of October 5th. The Pierce County pamphlets are scheduled to start arriving on October 14th.
When will I receive my absentee ballot?
Ballots will start arriving as soon as October 17th and throughout the following week. If you do not receive your ballot by October 23rd, call (253)798-VOTE or 1-800-446-4979. (Ballots and pamphlets are mailed to Military and Overseas voters 30 days before each election.)
Can I still register to vote?
Yes. If you are a new registrant in Washington State, you may register to vote in person at the Pierce County Elections Division. The deadline for in person registration is Monday, October 26, 2009. The deadline to register by mail/online or to change your voter address has passed. Call 253-798-VOTE for more information.
Which candidates will be on the ballot?
Click here to view a County-wide Sample Ballot. A sample ballot is also printed in the local voters' pamphlet.
Who filed for office?
Click here to view all candidates who filed for office this year.
What ballot measures and propositions will be on the ballot?
Click here to view the ballot measure and validation summary report.
Why did I get two ballot cards?
The Ranked Choice Voting election system used in Pierce County is based on a two ballot card system. Voters received a traditional ballot card and a ranked choice voting ballot card. The traditional card contains state measures, charter amendments, local bonds and levies and candidates for cities/town councils, school boards, fire districts, park districts, water districts and sewer districts. On the traditional ballot, voters are allowed to vote for one candidate in each race.
The Ranked Choice Voting ballot card contains the Pierce County Auditor's race. This race is on the ballot as a result of the Auditor's position being appointed due to a vacancy earlier this year. On this ballot voters may rank a first, second and third choice candidate for the office.
This year's General Election is only the second time that Ranked Choice Voting is being used in Pierce County and Washington State. The RCV election system that was thoroughly tested, approved and used in Washington State is based upon a two ballot card system. Whether you vote by mail or at the polls, you will be issued two ballot cards.
The two separate ballot cards provide specific instructions on how to vote each ballot card. The use of separate ballot cards with clear and concise steps helps to reduce any potential voter confusion.
What is Ranked Choice Voting? How do I learn more about RCV?
Ranked Choice Voting allows Pierce County voters to rank a first, second, and third choice candidate for a single office for certain county offices. For the RCV races no primary will be held. The RCV election is held at the General Election. For more information, to view an RCV brochure or to view an interactive video click here.
How do I mark my Traditional/RCV ballot?
Click here to view instructions on how to mark your ballot. Additional information is also available in the local voters' pamphlet and on the instructional insert you received with your ballot.
How much does it cost to return my ballot by mail?
It is estimated that First class postage of $0.61 is required to return your absentee ballot by mail.
Why is more than one stamp required?
Ranked Choice Voting requires a three column ballot to allow voters to rank up to 3 candidates (one in each column). Ranked Choice Voting as well as the number of contests on each ballot required the use of two ballot cards. The larger ballot size necessitates a larger envelope. Due to these factors additional postage is required. All voters are strongly encouraged to return both ballot cards. Note: even if only one ballot card is returned - additional postage is required.
How can I return my ballot for free? Where can I drop off my voted ballot?
Express Booths and Ballot Drop Boxes are available.
Drop Boxes are available now 24/7. Close at 8:00 p.m. on Election night.
Express Booths are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. starting Friday, October 30th through Election Day at 8:00 p.m.
Polling Places - absentee ballots can be dropped off at any polling place on Election Day 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Click here for locations, maps, and photos or consult your voter pamphlet for drop box, express booth and polling place locations.
Is accessible voting available?
Yes. An accessible voting machine is available at the Pierce County Election Center, 2501 S 35th St. Suite C, Tacoma, beginning, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, Monday through Friday; from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Click here for additional information. Our TTY number is 711.
Two additional accessible voting locations are open on Election Day from 7:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m.
Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID)
6315 S 19th St.
Tacoma, WA 98466
Center for Independence (CFI)
10828 Gravelly Lake Drive SW
Lakewood, WA 98499
Why did my primary ballot only contain one race?
In August, Pierce County conducted a county-wide Primary. For about one-third of the voters, only the port commissioner race appeared on the ballot. The remaining two-thirds of the county voted on the port commissioner race as well as races for city councils, school boards and fire district levies. No one in Pierce County had the authority to either eliminate this race from the ballot or conduct the election in another manner. Those decisions lie in the hands of the Legislature and the Governor.
State law sets how elections are to be conducted. These laws are established in advance of an election and are not changed, nor would we want them to be changed, based upon who files for office or the number of candidates that file. These laws require that elections for port commissioner and other races on your primary ballot be conducted using the state's top-two primary and general election method, not Ranked Choice Voting.
How can I view the full text of all ballot measures?
Pierce County Charter Amendment No. 1 and 2
Pierce County Charter Amendment No. 3
City of Fife Annexation to Pierce County Rural Library District
Town of South Prairie
Auburn School District No. 408
Fire Protection District No. 16
Fire Protection District No. 18
How can I become a certified write-in for a Ranked Choice Voting office?
The deadline to become a certified write-in candidate for a Ranked Choice Voting Office was Friday, October 2, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. Click here for more information or contact Pierce County Elections at 253-798-VOTE.
How can I become a certified write-in for a Traditional office?
Any person desiring to be a write-in candidate for an elected office (except offices elected by Ranked Choice Voting) may, if the jurisdiction of the office sought is entirely within one county, file a Declaration of Candidacy with the County Auditor and pay the filing fee (if any) no earlier than the day after the regular filing period and no later than the day before the election. Contact Pierce County Elections at 253-798-VOTE for more information.
When are Election results available?
Results will be available starting at approx. 8:30 p.m. on Election night. A results release schedule will be available soon.
Where are absentee ballots processed and counted?
Absentee ballots are processed and counted at the Pierce County Elections Center, 2501 S 35th St. Suite C, Tacoma, WA 98409. The Election Center is open daily for the public to observe all processes.
Your Pierce County Elections team works diligently to provide and ensure honest, open and accurate elections.
