What is the difference between Vote-By-Mail and Absentee ballots?
Voters living in a precinct with 200 or fewer registered voters, after the number of Ongoing Absentees has been deducted, may be assigned to a ‘Vote-By-Mail’ Precinct. A ballot is automatically mailed to all registered voters of that precinct for all elections in which they are eligible to vote and Pierce County pays for return postage. Registered voters who will be away from home for one particular election and wish to have a ballot mailed to their home address or an alternate mailing address need only contact the Election Department by telephone or letter. Regular absentee ballots can be obtained up until the day before the election. Registered voters who have requested ongoing (permanent) absentee status are automatically mailed a ballot 18 days prior to an election in which they are eligible to vote. A permanent year-round mailing address is required.
