Community Government

Over 60% of Gig Harbor-area voters have already cast ballots in 2024 election

Voters in the Gig Harbor area were eager to cast their ballots in the 2024 election.

As of Monday, Nov. 4, Pierce County reported having already received ballots from 65.49% of registered voters in Gig Harbor. That’s the highest ballot return level of any city or large jurisdiction in Pierce County.

The trend extends outside city limits. Pierce County reported ballots already in hand from 63.11% of voters inside the boundaries of Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One, which includes everything between the Narrows and Purdy bridges. In Pierce County Council district No. 7, which includes the Gig Harbor and Key peninsulas and a slice of Tacoma, 58.26% of voters have returned ballots.

By comparison, just 48.83% of ballots have been returned Pierce County-wide. Statewide, the return rate is 47.28%.

Where to drop your ballot

Ballots are due by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the 2024 election. Voters can drop them in the mail, so long as they are postmarked by Nov. 5. Or they can place them in Pierce County drop box locations.

In the Gig Harbor area, drop boxes are here: 

• The Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. 
• The Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St.
• The Nichols Community Center, 590 9th Avenue, Fox Island 
• The Purdy Park and Ride, 14567 Purdy Dr.
•  Lake Kathryn Food Market, 14220 92nd Ave NW, Wauna
• The Key Center Food Market, 9021 Key Peninsula Highway, Lakebay 
• Home Park, 17220 8th Ave NW, Lakebay

The Pierce County ballot drop box at the Nichols Community Center on Fox Island.

When to look for results 

Pierce County and the Washington secretary of state’s office will post preliminary vote counts shortly after 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Gig Harbor Now will publish a story with those early results in local races before 9 p.m. 

Find statewide results at the Washington Secretary of State’s Office’s website. Find Pierce County results on the Elections Office website. 

What’s on the ballot

High-profile local elections include:

Sixth Congressional District 

Republican Drew MacEwen and Democrat Emily Randall are candidates to replace retiring Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor. Both are state senators, MacEwen representing the 35th District and Randall the 26th District, which includes Gig Harbor. Read our coverage here. 

26th Legislative District

As is the case every two years, both House seats are on this week’s ballot. 

Position 1 matches Republican former state Rep. Jesse Young against Democrat Adison Richards. They seek to replace Republican Rep. Spencer Hutchins of Gig Harbor, who declined to seek re-election for financial reasons. Both candidates narrowly lost legislative elections in 2022 – Hutchins defeated Richards by the thinnest of margins, while Randall retained her Senate seat in a close race against Young. Read our coverage here. 

For position 2, incumbent Republican Michelle Caldier of Gig Harbor seeks another term against Democrat Tiffiny Mitchell of Port Orchard. Caldier is a five-term incumbent, while Mitchell served a single term in the Oregon Legislature before moving to Kitsap County. Read our coverage here. 

State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Peninsula School Board member David Olson seeks to unseat incumbent State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. Read our coverage here.