Pierce County Mails Ballots For 2021 General Election

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Election season is officially underway for Pierce County. Friday, election officials begin mailing ballots to all 555,000 registered Pierce County voters ahead of the upcoming November general election.

The county's 46 drop boxes also opened Friday, and will remain open through 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 2 — though voters are encouraged to vote early to ensure their voice is heard.

This election, Pierce County voters will be asked to weigh in on dozens of high-profile elections, including mayoral races in Tacoma, Eatonville, Buckley, and Bonney Lake. Nearly a dozen cities from Puyallup to Lakewood are holding city council elections, and six school districts — Puyallup, University Place, Dieringer, Clover Park, Peninsula, Bethel, and Eatonville — will have candidates on the ballot. All together, that's 269 candidates running for 170 offices across 23 cities and towns and 13 fire districts.

The Pierce County Auditor's Office is projecting a 39 percent voter turnout, but there is still time to make sure your voice is heard.

Here are three important dates to keep in mind this month, leading up to Election Day, Nov.3:

• Oct. 15, 2021: Pierce County Elections begins mailing ballots to all registered voters, and the Pierce County Election Center opens in Tacoma.
• Oct. 25, 2021: Last day to register or modify voter registration online or by mail.
• Oct 31, 2021: Pierce County Election Center opens Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the only time the center will open over a weekend.

Voters who still need to register and miss the Oct. 25 deadline still have the option to register in person all the way until polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. All ballots must be postmarked by that date, and drop boxes close at the same time.

Here are a few helpful links to make sure your vote is counted:

• Find your nearest dropbox.
• Register to vote in Pierce County.
• Check your voter registration to see if it is up-to-date.
• Learn more about candidates and ballot propositions.
• Read the State and Local Voters' Pamphlet