Ballots for the August primary arrive soon. What is Pierce County voting on?
Voting begins July 14 for this year’s Aug. 4 primary election.
The ballot includes four tax measures that seek to raise funds for emergency medical services and roads.
It includes an array of candidates running for Congress, the state Legislature and Pierce County Council. To learn more about the candidates running for office, visit the Pierce County elections website.
The county is recommending that voters return their ballots to a drop box as early as possible. They must be returned to a drop box by 8 p.m. on Aug. 4, which the county recommends, or by mail. If voters are returning ballots by mail, they should do so at least a week early, according to the county’s website. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that states can count ballots that arrive after Election Day so long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
Eligible voters can register to do so online through July 27 and in-person through 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Here’s what you need to know about the ballot measures for this year’s August primary election:
Town of Carbonado: Proposition No. 1 - Emergency Medical Services Levy
Carbonado residents will vote on a $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value tax that would pay for the town’s emergency medical services.
The six-year levy is a reauthorization of an existing levy, according to the voter pamphlet. For the owner of a house with an assessed value of $529,641, which was the average in Pierce County in 2025, the rate constitutes about $265 a year.
“Without re-authorization of the EMS levy, the dedicated funding to provide Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, ambulances and emergency medical equipment will expire at the end of the year. Without an EMS levy, these services cannot be provided,” the statement for the levy reads.
No statement was submitted against Carbonado’s EMS levy.
City of Fircrest Proposition No. 1 - Emergency Medical Care and Services
Similar to Carbonado, Fircrest is seeking reauthorization of its six-year emergency medical services levy. The current one is set to expire at the end of 2026, and the city is seeking voter approval to reauthorize the levy at the same rate it has been set at: $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.
For the owner of a house with an assessed value of $529,641, which was the average in Pierce County in 2025, the rate constitutes about $265 a year.
“Before the 1990’s, Fircrest relied on volunteer firefighters and limited paramedic availability, which resulted in less consistent response times,” the for statement reads. “The current system provides 24/7, state-of-the-art EMS, including highly trained personnel, advanced equipment, and transport.”
No statement was submitted against Fircrest’s EMS levy.
City of Tacoma Proposition No. 1, Funding Transportation Safety Improvements
In a reprise of last year’s failed streets levy, the city of Tacoma is trying again to get voter approval on a tax that would pay for street repairs and safety improvements.
Unlike last year’s failed levy, the new one includes a sunset – meaning it would remain in place for 10 years. It consists of a 1.5% increase in utility-earnings tax and an increase in property tax of $0.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. City officials estimated that would cost residents about $1.97 and $8.46 per month, respectively.
The city also projects that the measure could raise $200 million in revenue and an additional $120 million in state and federal grants.
The committee against the measure, which did not appear to have raised money for its campaign as of July 9, argued in the voter pamphlet that the city wouldn’t spend the money responsibly and that the measure wouldn’t actually improve the city’s streets.
“If this passes, rents will rise,” the committee wrote in the voter pamphlet.
The committee in favor of the measure, which had raised $41,971.89 as of July 9, argued in the voter pamphlet that better streets would make the city’s maintenance more efficient and lower repair costs for Tacoma’s drivers.
“Good streets make our neighborhoods safer,” the committee wrote. “Well-designed infrastructure means safer access to schools and parks for families; supports local businesses; and improves access to public transportation.”
Fire Protection District No. 10 Bonds to Construct a New Fire Station
Fire Protection District No. 10 is seeking voter approval on a $25 million bond to cover the costs of a new and updated fire station.
The fire protection district, which represents parts of Fife, has an existing facility that its Board of Fire Commissioners determined was of an “inadequate size” with outdated facilities. The bond, which requires 60% in yes votes for approval, would constitute roughly an additional property tax at $0.28 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The agency estimated that would cost residents about $168 per year or $14 a month.
“A yes vote funds a modern, safe, and efficient fire station—protecting firefighters and improving emergency response,” the statement in favor of the measure reads.
No statement was submitted against the bond measure.
