Puyallup school bond back on ballot. Is there record of how you voted last time?
On Tuesday, April 22, voters will determine the fate of the Puyallup School District’s $800 million bond measure once more.
The bond got a 63% approval rating during a special election Feb. 13 but failed because it didn’t reach the total voter-turnout threshold. If passed, the bond would allow the district to expand three high schools, replace three elementary schools – Mt. View, Spinning and Waller Road – and build a new elementary school near Emerald Ridge High School and Glacier View Junior High.
In the lead-up to the second election, some voters received a text from the campaign supporting the measure, thanking them for voting “yes” in the February election.
“Thank you for voting YES on Prop 1 in February!” the April 19 text said. “While 64% of voters supported it, not enough people turned in their ballots for it to pass. Now we’re back on the ballot so Puyallup schools can expand capacity, replace outdated buildings, and build a new elementary school for our growing community – all while maintaining the current tax rate!”
The News Tribune reached out to the Yes campaign and asked about privacy concerns – specifically, whether it has a record of people who voted “yes” in the previous election.
“We don’t know HOW people voted but we did use a list of people who DID vote,” Ellen Aronson, spokesperson for the Yes campaign, wrote in a statement to The News Tribune. “We are trying to reach out to voters and err on the side of optimism that they are [supporters.] Our goal was to remind our community to participate in the election tomorrow.”
The News Tribune also reached out to Kyle Haugh at the Pierce County Elections Office. He confirmed that Washington state law does not release how voters voted.
“If you voted, it’s public record,” Haugh said. “But how you voted? Never.”
Voters have until 8 p.m. to turn in their ballots. For more information on drop box locations, sample ballots and more, visit the Pierce County Elections website at www.piercecountywa.gov/328/Elections.
