Rotary Volunteers Step Up To Help Pierce County Elections

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Pierce County Elections is teaming up with Rotary International to help voters who are casting their ballots last-minute on election night.

This year, an overwhelming number of voters have elected to cast their ballots using drop boxes, rather than mailing their ballots in.

“So far, 73 percent of ballots are being returned through ballot drop boxes, while only 27 percent of voters are using the United States Postal Service,” says Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson.

And the boxes will only get busier, as officials recommend that voters do not vote by mail after Friday, because the Postal Service cannot guarantee the ballots will be postmarked in time.

Related: Election Officials: Voters Should Mail Ballot By Friday

But as the ballot boxes get busier, the county wants to make sure there's no congestion or delays, keeping the voting process as smooth as possible. That's where the rotary volunteers come in.

Between 2 and 8 p.m. on Election Day, pairs of rotarians will be standing at 22 of Pierce County's busiest ballot drop boxes, helping voters get their ballots in the box.

“Everyone can relate to the drive-thru experience where you have to unbuckle your seat belt and then stretch out your car window. It speeds up the process when you have a helping hand,” says Auditor Anderson.

The county says the volunteers are nonpartisan and will be clearly marked and badged, so as not to cause confusion. They also stress that their help is optional— voters can still hand-deliver their ballots to the box if they so choose.

This is not the first time Rotary International volunteers have helped Pierce County cast their votes: they also helped out at drop boxes during the August Primary earlier this year.

“They really kept things moving. Voters seemed to enjoy being greeted by a friendly - albeit masked – face,” said Kyle Haugh, Pierce County Elections supervisor.

In total, 88 volunteers will be helping out at the drop boxes mapped below:

Meanwhile, if you have not received your ballot or even registered to vote: there is still time. Washington residents can still register to vote all the way up to the Nov 3. 8 p.m. election deadline.