Steilacoom, Washington Public Records

Washington conducts all elections entirely by mail, with ballots mailed to registered voters approximately 18 days before each election. Residents can register to vote online through the Washington Secretary of State website at www.vote.wa.gov, with online registration available up to 8 days before Election Day. Washington also offers same-day voter registration in person at county elections offices and voting centers through Election Day. To register, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, Washington residents, and not disqualified due to a felony conviction—voting rights are restored upon completion of sentence in Washington. No photo ID is required to register or vote; signature verification validates mail-in ballots. Municipal elections for the Town of Steilacoom include the Mayor position and five Town Council seats. The town holds municipal general elections in odd-numbered years, typically on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November. The Mayor serves a four-year term, while Council members serve four-year staggered terms with some positions up for election every two years. The next municipal election will be held November 4, 2025, for Mayor and Council positions. Candidate filings open in May preceding the election year, and information about local candidates and measures is available through the Pierce County Elections website and the Town of Steilacoom website at www.townofsteilacoom.com. Residents don't have assigned polling places because Washington is an all-mail voting state. Instead, voters receive ballots at their registered mailing address. Completed ballots can be returned by mail—postage is prepaid—or deposited in official ballot drop boxes located throughout Pierce County. Drop box locations are listed at www.piercecountywa.gov/elections, with the nearest drop box typically located at Steilacoom Town Hall, 1717 Lafayette Street, or other nearby Pierce County facilities. Accessible voting centers are available during the final weeks before Election Day for voters needing assistance. Washington public records law makes most election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists, excluding birthdates and driver's license numbers, are available for purchase from the Pierce County Auditor for legitimate purposes such as political campaigns or research. Campaign finance disclosure reports, known as C-4 reports, are filed with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission and searchable online at www.pdc.wa.gov. Candidate filing information, ballot measure text, and precinct-level election results are published by Pierce County Elections after each election and archived online. Individual ballot secrecy is protected, but aggregate voting data by precinct is public. In the November 2024 presidential election, Pierce County reported voter turnout of approximately 78-80%, with over 450,000 ballots counted out of approximately 570,000 registered voters. Local voters participated in this election, voting on the presidential race, U.S. Senate race for Maria Cantwell's seat, U.S. House District 10 which includes the town, statewide initiatives, state legislative races for the 28th Legislative District representing the area, Pierce County offices including County Executive and County Council, and judicial positions. On November 3, 2026, voters will decide several key races. Washington's gubernatorial election will be held in 2024, so the 2026 ballot will not include that race. However, voters will decide one of Washington's U.S. Senate seats—Patty Murray's seat is up for election in 2028, but other statewide positions may be contested. Washington State Legislative races for the 28th District will be on the ballot, including the state senator and two state representative positions. Pierce County offices up in 2026 may include Pierce County Council seats, Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer (four-year term elected in 2022, next election 2026), and Pierce County Superior Court judge positions which are nonpartisan. No municipal races will appear on the November 2026 ballot as those occur in odd-numbered years. Washington allows any registered voter to request permanent absentee/mail ballot status, though all voters automatically receive mail ballots under the Vote By Mail system implemented statewide. Voters who need ballot replacement, have accessibility needs, or prefer to vote in person can visit the Pierce County Elections Office or accessible voting centers during the election period. Military and overseas voters can request ballots electronically through the Federal Voting Assistance Program portal and return ballots by mail or email under specific provisions for overseas voters.