Thurston County breaks ground on new ballot processing center ahead of upcoming elections

The Yelm City Council meeting held on January 28, 2025, featured a special presentation from the Thurston County Auditor's Office regarding the upcoming election process. The meeting included several key figures, including Mary Hall, the Thurston County Auditor, and Kyle Bach, the Elections Manager from Pierce County, who participated online. In-person attendees included Calbie Tilley, the Elections Manager for Yelm, and Jamie Davis.

Auditor Hall opened the presentation by emphasizing the importance of promoting elections and encouraging community participation. She announced that the Thurston County ballot processing center is undergoing a significant expansion and refurbishment, marking the first major upgrade since 1985. This development aims to enhance the efficiency of election operations.

To facilitate the upcoming elections for the Yelm Community School District, Thurston County has entered into an interlocal agreement with Pierce County. This partnership will allow Pierce County to handle the mailing and counting of ballots. Hall reassured voters that they can obtain replacement ballots by visiting the office or contacting either county's election office. Additionally, ballot drop boxes will be available in Yelm.

Hall addressed concerns from residents who received ballots from Pierce County, confirming that these ballots are valid for voting. She noted that approximately 20,000 voters reside in the Thurston County portion of the Yelm Community School District, which is split with Pierce County.

The meeting also highlighted that military and overseas ballots were sent out on January 10, with the remaining ballots distributed on January 24. Voters should have received a voter's pamphlet along with their ballots. Drop box locations for this election include LACAMUS Elementary School, the Nisqually Bridal Administration Building, Rainier City Hall, the Yelm School Administration Building, and Roy City Hall in Pierce County.

In closing, Hall invited community members to visit the new voting center on election night for results, which will be open until 8 PM. The meeting underscored the collaborative efforts between Thurston and Pierce Counties to ensure a smooth election process for local voters.