Lacey, Washington Public Records

The deadline for online or mail registration is 8 days before any election, though in-person registration at the Elections Office continues through Election Day for same-day registration. Voters need a Washington State driver's license or ID card number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. The Department of Licensing offers automatic voter registration when residents obtain or renew a driver's license. Address updates and registration status checks are handled through the same online portal. Municipal elections in the city occur in odd-numbered years, with City Council positions and the Mayor elected to four-year terms on staggered cycles. The next municipal election takes place in November 2025, with candidate filing in May 2025. The community uses an at-large council system with seven council members. Information about local candidates, ballot measures, and city initiatives is available through the City of Lacey website at https://www.ci.lacey.wa.us and through the Thurston County Elections voters' pamphlet distributed before each election. Residents can locate their ballot drop box locations at https://voter.votewa.gov/ by entering their address. The county operates numerous 24-hour ballot drop boxes throughout the area, including locations at Lacey City Hall, regional parks, and libraries. Washington's vote-by-mail system has no traditional polling places, though the Elections Office offers in-person voting services during the final days before and on Election Day. Election records that are public in Washington include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes under RCW 29A.08.720), campaign finance reports (searchable at https://www.pdc.wa.gov/ through the Public Disclosure Commission), candidate filings and declarations, precinct-level election results, and ballot measure information. Individual ballot secrecy is protected, but aggregate turnout data by precinct is publicly available. In the November 2024 presidential election, Thurston County reported approximately 68% voter turnout, with over 130,000 ballots cast out of approximately 192,000 registered voters. The county has historically trended Democratic in recent elections, though local races often feature non-partisan contests. On November 3, 2026, voters in the area will participate in critical midterm elections. The ballot will include Washington's U.S. Senate race, as Senator Maria Cantwell's seat is up for election. Washington's gubernatorial election will not occur in 2026 (the next Governor's race is 2028). All ten of Washington's U.S. House seats will be contested, with the community falling in the 10th Congressional District. State legislative races for Washington's 22nd Legislative District (covering the area) will include one State Senate seat and two State House positions. County-level races will include Thurston County Commissioner positions, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Auditor, Assessor, and Treasurer, depending on the election cycle rotation. Local ballot measures related to city services, bonds, or levies may also appear. Washington automatically mails ballots to all registered voters for every election. Voters do not need to request an absentee ballot. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or deposited in an official drop box by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Voters can track their ballot status online at https://voter.votewa.gov/ to confirm when their ballot was mailed, received, and counted.