Pierce County primary voters speak on COVID-19, mail-in ballots
This year’s primary election looks different than it has in the past.
For one, there’s no waiting in line. Due to COVID-19 concerns, voters are staying in their cars.
In the parking lot of Pierce County Auditor’s Office, masked volunteers and election officials are guiding cars through three routes. Residents can register and get a first-time ballot, receive a new ballot or ballot folder, or simply drop off their filled-out ballot.
There also are 27 library locations throughout Pierce County with the same drive-thru services, according to Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor.
Anderson says election officials and volunteers are taking special precautions to keep themselves and voters safe from the coronavirus.
All workers are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing, Anderson said. She explained they also get temperature checks when they arrive for a shift. Workers don’t have more than 15 minutes of sustained contact with other people during the voting process, and voters are staying in their cars to prevent transmission, she said.
Anderson said this highly organized drive-thru system is also a dry-run for the general election when voter turnout is expected to be higher.
Cody Bakken, who was hired to help with voter registration, says they’ve been able to work out how to best direct the flow of traffic to help people with their specific needs. He says the system is working well so far.
The issues
Angelica Bashay of Tacoma said she’s voting to hold leaders accountable to their constituents, including middle-class people and those experiencing homelessness. The News Tribune spoke to Bashay and other voters on Tuesday afternoon outside Pierce County Auditor’s Office.
“We need help,” Bashay said. “We need people who are in there to really be there for us and not themselves and just their community.”
Yuri Mejia, also a Tacoma resident, voted to voice his support for Gov. Jay Inslee.
“I want to keep that momentum going with directions he’s taking the state,” he said.
Mejia said he feels this is an especially important election year because of the coronavirus, and he’s encouraging friends and family to vote now and in the fall. He does not support President Trump and his administration.
“I think we need a change to make it better and take it in the right direction,” he said.
Cheryl Scott of Tacoma said she voted because she’s displeased with Inslee’s leadership. She said she thinks people are turning out to vote in the primary because of current turmoil.
“I think because the country is in such a mess right now that people are taking more interest in voting,” Scott said.
She hopes to see more support for law enforcement. “Quite frankly, I want to see some of the far-leftist policies defeated,” Scott said. She said she’s voting for Matt Larkin, a Republican, for Attorney General.
Mail-in ballots
Overall, voters are fairly confident in the security of mail-in voting.
“I do feel a certain security dropping it closer to the election officials that are going to count the thing,” Bob Neal said. “Not that I don’t trust the postal service. I think those are some really good heroes that are working there as well.”
Still, he likes dropping off his ballot by hand.
“It’s important to me to actually cast a ballot on Election Day despite the convenience of voting by mail,” he said.
Bashay said she thinks people should be able to vote in lots of different ways so that anyone who wants to vote is able to do so.
“We’re in 2020,” she said. “Anything is possible.”
Mejia said he, too, is comfortable with mail-in ballots.
“That’s how I’ve been voting since I’ve been a resident of Washington,” he said. “I’ve never doubted the security of mail-in voting.”
He said he has used absentee voting as a veteran and has never had an issue with it.
Scott worries that large-scale mail-in voting because of COVID-19 could allow for fraud.
“I’ve been on an absentee ballot for years because I am disabled and it’s difficult for me to get around,” Scott said.
But she thinks mail-in ballots should be restricted to those who have a high risk with the coronavirus or have limited mobility.
“It opens up an extra way for fraud, and I don’t like that,” she said of the mail-in option.
Anderson said she is frustrated by allegations that mail-in voting allows for fraud. She said mail-in voting is more like an extended absentee voting program, and that the state has had time to perfect the process. Washington has had state-wide mail-in voting for 10 years and longer in some counties, Anderson said.
Voting during COVID-19
The pandemic shouldn’t discourage people from casting a ballot, voters said Tuesday.
“A lot of people have died in our history to give us this privilege to be able to vote,” Scott said.
She said she thinks people should take advantage of the opportunity.
Others agreed.
“Everybody matters. We all matter, no matter what,” said Bashay, who wants to set an example for her son about the importance of voting.
“Voting is so important. If you don’t vote, shame on you,” Bob Neal said.
“We have voted every year for 42 years and COVID isn’t going to stop us,” Gay Neal added.
The library locations and Pierce County Auditor’s Office are open until 8 p.m. for voting on August 4. A full map of locations is provided by Pierce County.
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 5:00 PM.