Community Government

Turnout looks low as general election approaches

Posted on November 2nd, 2025 By: Vince Dice

As of Oct. 31, just 11.9% of registered voters had returned their ballots to the Pierce County Elections Division.

The percentage of returned ballots in Gig Harbor, where several high-profile races are being contested, is significantly higher, at 23.32%. Among Pierce County jurisdictions, only the town of Steilacoom is doing better at 26.53% of ballots returned.

Statewide, 15.63% of voters have returned ballots.

The other 85% of voters in Washington state have until Tuesday, Nov. 4, to participate in the election. Ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, or returned to a drop box by 8 p.m.

The state Auditor’s Office and the county Elections Division will post results at about 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. Gig Harbor Now will publish a story focusing on local elections shortly thereafter.

Ballot drop box locations

Ballot drop box locations west of the Narrows Bridge include:

Gig Harbor Library: 4424 Point Fosdick Dr. NW

Gig Harbor Civic Center: 3510 Grandview St.

Nichols Community Center: 690 Ninth Ave.,

Fox Island Purdy Park and Ride: 14567 Purdy Dr.

Lake Kathryn Food Market, 14220 92nd Ave. NW

Key Center Food Market: 9021 Key Peninsula Hwy. NW, Lakebay

Home Park: 17220 Eighth Ave. NW, Lakebay

26th District

Turnout is always low in off-year elections, but several high-profile races could entice Gig Harbor-area voters.

The 26th Legislative District has the highest-profile legislative race this fall. Appointed incumbent Deb Krishnadasan, D-Gig Harbor, and Rep. Michelle Caldier, R-Gig Harbor, are running for the state Senate seat vacated when Emily Randall took up her duties as a new member of Congress.

The race, in one of the few legislative swing districts in Washington, is the third-most expensive this campaign year, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Public Disclosure Commission

Republicans view it as their best chance this year to cut into the Democrats’ 30-19 advantage in the state Senate. Democrats hope to capitalize on voter disillusionment with the Trump administration.

Krishnadasan won the primary with 51.17% of the vote.

Read our earlier coverage of the race here.

City of Gig Harbor

Voters inside Gig Harbor city limits will decide on a race for mayor and two contested council races. But a proposition sent to voters by the City Council may hold the most interest.

Proposition 1 would increase the sales tax in the city by 0.1%. Proceeds would support nonprofits focused on arts, history, science and culture.

The mayor race matches appointed incumbent Mary Barber against first-time candidate Chris Haywood.

Barber, a former City Council member who was previously politically active while living in Alaska, was appointed mayor after Tracie Markley resigned a year ago.

Haywood said he chose to run due to conflicts with the city, including a traffic stop in February.

Read our previous coverage:

Proposition 1: Cultural Access proposal allows voters to decide on tax to support nonprofits

Mary Barber: Barber emphasizes collaborative community governance in mayoral bid

Chris Haywood: Traffic stop, license plate reading cameras inspired mayoral challenger

Gig Harbor City Council Position No. 2: Patrick Ammann vs. Stephen McDuffie

Gig Harbor City Council Position No. 3: Emily Stone vs. Jeni Woock

Gig Harbor City Council Position No. 4: Julie Martin vs. Dan Wright