Community Government

The 2024 primary election is Tuesday. Here’s what voters will decide

Ballots in the 2024 primary election must be postmarked or returned to a ballot drop box by Tuesday, Aug. 6. 

Ballot return totals posted by the Pierce County Elections Office indicate people are taking their time to make up their minds. As of July 31, just 10.3% of ballots countywide had been returned. 

In Gig Harbor, 20.3% of voters already had returned their ballots as of July 31. The ballot-return rate in the Pierce County portion of the 26th Legislative District was 15%. 

Drop box locations 

Drop box locations on the peninsulas include: 

Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. 

Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. 

Nichols Community Center, 690 9th Ave., Fox Island 

Purdy Park and Ride, 14567 Purdy Dr. 

Lake Kathryn Food Market, 14220 92nd Ave NW, Wauna 

Key Center Food Market, 9021 Key Peninsula Highway, Key Center 

Home Park, 17220 8th Ave NW, Home 

Note that no stamp is required to return your ballot by mail, but it must be postmarked by Tuesday, Aug. 6. 

When to look for results 

The Elections Office typically posts initial results shortly after 8 p.m. on election night. Look for results around then on gigharbornow.org. 

The elections office will post subsequent updates on Aug. 7, 8 and 9. The election will be certified on Aug. 20. 

Candidates advancing past the primary will move on to the general election on Nov. 5. 

Among the issues on the ballot: 

Sixth Congressional District 

Voters will select two finalists in the race to be the next member of Congress representing the Sixth Congressional District. Incumbent Derek Kilmer, a Gig Harbor Democrat, did not run for re-election after 10 years in Washington, D.C. 

The field of candidates seeking to replace him includes Republican Drew MacEwen, a state senator from Union; and Democrats Emily Randall, a state senator from Bremerton, and state Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz. Read our coverage here. 

26th Legislative District 

State Rep. Michelle Caldier, R-Gig Harbor, faces four challengers for her position 2 seat representing the 26th Legislative District in Olympia. They include Republican Rachel Harter, independent Josh Smith and Democrats Tiffiny Mitchell and Lori McPherson. Read more about the candidates here and find where they stand on the issues here. 

Position 1 Rep. Spencer Hutchins, R-Gig Harbor, did not run for re-election. Seeking his seat are Democrat Adison Richards and Republicans Jesse Young and Jim Henderson. Read more about the candidates here and find where they stand on the issues here. 

City of Gig Harbor 

Voters in the city of Gig Harbor must decide on a sales tax increase to support public safety. The measure would raise the sales tax rate in Gig Harbor by one-tenth of 1%, generating an estimated $1 million in revenue. Funding would primarily support the city’s police department.