Pierce County reminding voters of Election Day to avoid lawsuit

TACOMA – Pierce County elections officials are sending out nearly 500,000 postcards reminding voters about Election Day as part of an agreement that will keep them from facing a lawsuit.

The News Tribune reported the Thursday agreement comes after state Democratic Party officials complained about earlier ballot instructions. They had said the instructions, which told voters to mail ballots by Nov. 4, could confuse voters into thinking they had to mail their ballots early.

Washington State Democrats Chairman Jaxon Ravens publicly threatened to sue county auditor Julie Anderson if she didn’t take steps to make it clear voters have until Nov. 8 to mail their ballots.

Anderson says county has agreed to the party’s requests to avoid litigation.

She says the county had been following new U.S. Postal Service guidelines recommending elections officers tell voters to mail ballots back a week before the deadline.