Vaughn, Washington Public Records

Ballots are mailed approximately 18 days before each election and must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day, either by mail (postage is prepaid) or deposited in official ballot drop boxes located throughout Pierce County, including several on the Key Peninsula for area voters. Residents can register to vote online at https://voter.votewa.gov, Washington's statewide voter registration portal. Online registration requires a valid Washington driver's license or state ID card. The registration deadline is eight days before an election for online and mail registrations, though same-day registration is available in person at the Pierce County Elections Office or at voting centers during the voting period. New residents must provide proof of residence, and voters must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and Washington residents. Because this is an unincorporated community, there are no municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, residents vote in Pierce County elections for County Executive, County Council (District 6 represents the Key Peninsula and Vaughn area), county Assessor-Treasurer, Auditor, Sheriff, and other countywide positions. Voters also participate in state legislative elections for Washington State Senate and House of Representatives (the Key Peninsula is in the 26th Legislative District), statewide elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and other statewide offices, and federal elections for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives (currently the 10th Congressional District). Special purpose districts serving the area, such as fire districts, cemetery districts, and school districts (Peninsula School District), also hold elections for commissioners and directors, as well as levy and bond measures. Local voters can look up their voter registration status, ballot status, voting history, and assigned legislative and congressional districts at https://voter.votewa.gov. Because Washington uses all-mail voting, there are no assigned polling places. However, the Pierce County Elections Office operates a voter service center at 2401 South 35th Street in Tacoma where voters can register, obtain replacement ballots, vote in person, and get assistance during the 18 days leading up to Election Day. Election records that are public in Washington include voter registration lists (available for purchase by campaigns and political organizations, though individual voter records can be searched by the public at the Elections Office), campaign finance reports (filed with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission at www.pdc.wa.gov, searchable by candidate, committee, or contributor), candidate filings and statements (available through the Elections Office and online), election results by precinct (published on the Pierce County Elections website after each election), and ballot measures and voter pamphlet materials. Individual ballot secrecy is protected; how a person voted is never public, though whether they returned a ballot is public information. The presidential race, U.S. Senate race, gubernatorial race, and numerous statewide and local measures drove high participation. Precincts in the Vaughn area generally reflected countywide turnout patterns. The U.S. At the state level, all 98 seats in the Washington State House of Representatives and approximately half of the 49 State Senate seats will be contested, including the 26th Legislative District seats representing the area. Several statewide executive offices may also be up for election depending on term schedules. Special districts serving residents, such as Key Peninsula Fire Department commissioners and Peninsula School District directors, may also hold elections. Voters should watch for the official Voters' Pamphlet, mailed to all households before each election, which contains candidate statements, ballot measure explanations, and pro/con arguments. Washington offers accessible voting options for voters with disabilities, including accessible ballot-marking devices at voting centers, and ballots in alternative formats upon request. Military and overseas voters can register and receive ballots electronically. To request a replacement ballot, track ballot status, or get assistance, local voters should contact the Pierce County Elections Division at 253-798-8683 or visit the office in Tacoma.