Tacoma residents voting Tuesday, Nov. 3, will decide whether to expand bus service, strengthen renter protections and reshape Pierce County law enforcement oversight.

Ballots must be in an official drop box by 8 p.m. or postmarked by Election Day, according to Pierce County Elections. No stamp is needed. Pierce County has 58 drop box locations across the county.

Washington is a vote-by-mail state. Registered voters received ballots by mail starting Oct. 13.

How to return your ballot

Voters who still have a ballot at home can drop it at any official ballot drop box before the 8 p.m. deadline or mail it with an Election Day postmark. Pierce County Elections recommends using a drop box rather than mailing a ballot on Election Day.

Two vote centers in Tacoma are open Nov. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the county's Election at a Glance guide:

  • Pierce County Election Center, 2501 S. 35th St., Suite C, Tacoma
  • Sprinker Recreation Center, Rainier Room, 521 Military Rd. S., Tacoma

A third vote center is at Pierce College Puyallup, 1601 39th Ave. SE in Puyallup, The News Tribune reported.

Registration and ID

The online registration deadline passed Oct. 26. Voters who missed it can register in person at a vote center through 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Same-day registrants need identification. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, student ID or the last four digits of a Social Security number, according to The News Tribune's election guide.

What's on the ballot

Pierce County's roughly 600,000 registered voters face a long ballot. The county projects 70% turnout.

Pierce Transit Proposition 1 would raise the agency's sales tax rate from 0.6% to 0.9%, an additional 3 cents on every $10 spent. Pierce Transit said the increase would boost bus service by 47%, extend service hours, shorten wait times and add four new routes, KNKX reported. The measure would also make bus rides free for seniors. Pierce Transit's local funding rate has not increased since 2002.

If the measure fails, Pierce Transit would face service cuts, said Kristina Walker, a Tacoma City Council member and chair of the Pierce Transit Commission. "We can't keep up with inflation, costs are rising faster than our income can keep up with," Walker told KNKX.

City of Tacoma Initiative Measure 1, called "Safe Homes for All," would increase penalties for landlords who violate tenant-safety laws and fund city enforcement through per-unit license fees, The News Tribune reported. Landlords found in violation would face fines of at least $500 per violation. Nonprofit housing providers and landlords with fewer than 25 units would be exempt from additional fees for repeated violations.

Seven Pierce County charter amendments are on the ballot. Charter Amendment 53 would make the sheriff an appointed position chosen by the county executive and confirmed by the County Council, the Washington State Standard reported. If it passes, Sheriff Keith Swank, elected in 2024, would leave office Jan. 1, 2027. A related measure, Charter Amendment 54, would create a Public Safety Ombuds Office for independent oversight of the sheriff's department.

County races include Pierce County auditor, prosecuting attorney and County Council Districts 1, 5 and 7. In the prosecuting attorney race, chief criminal deputy prosecutor Coreen Schnepf, 45, faces former Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff, 74, The News Tribune reported. The winner will oversee a $94 million budget and 266 employees.

Statewide initiatives

Three statewide measures backed by the Let's Go Washington political action committee are on the ballot, Ballotpedia reported:

  • Initiative 1 (IP26-645) would repeal a 9.9% tax on household income exceeding $1 million and prohibit state and local income taxes.
  • Initiative to the Legislature 001 (IL26-001) addresses parental rights in public schools.
  • Initiative to the Legislature 638 (IL26-638) would prohibit biologically male students from competing in school sports designated for female students.

Congressional and legislative races

All 10 of Washington's U.S. House seats are on the ballot. The 8th Congressional District race between Democratic incumbent Rep. Kim Schrier and Republican Spencer Meline includes parts of Pierce County, Fox 13 reported.

In the 29th Legislative District, which covers parts of Tacoma, Parkland, Spanaway and Lakewood, Tacoma Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell and Patrick Stickney are competing for Position 2, Fox 13 reported.

Five Washington Supreme Court seats and multiple judicial positions, including Tacoma Municipal Court races, also appear on the ballot.

Track your ballot and find results

Voters can track their ballot at VoteWA.gov. Pierce County Elections plans to release results on Election Night, with additional updates scheduled through Nov. 24, when the county will hold its canvassing and certification meeting. Election results are pending as of publication.

Linda Kent, Pierce County chief deputy auditor, said the voters' pamphlet is a resource where residents can read candidate statements and arguments for and against ballot measures. Voters with questions can call Pierce County Elections at 253-798-8683.

Accessible voting equipment, audio ballots and other accommodations are available at vote centers for voters with disabilities, according to United Way of Pierce County. Election materials are also available in multiple languages through Pierce County Elections.