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Pierce County Charter Amendment No. 54 - Public Safety Ombuds

Pierce County, Washington

My vote power

High

Election date

November 3, 2026

Pierce County Charter Amendment No. 54 - Public Safety Ombuds is a ballot measure in Pierce County, Washington on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Pierce County would create an independent office to review the sheriff's department and complaints about it. County taxpayers would fund it from the county budget at an estimated $633,000 to $826,000 a year; no new tax is specified.

How do we calculate my vote power?

What determines the vote power rating for ballot measures: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. You have more power in ballot measures because you vote directly on the policy.

Representation: Above average · 59 out of 100

This district is a good deal smaller than its state, so each vote here carries more weight than a vote in a statewide race. About 930,319 people live here.

Show the representation math

score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(7,816,116 ÷ 930,319) ÷ ln(50,000) = 59.84, measured against a statewide vote in WA (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)

Above average representation + a direct vote on the policy → My vote power: High.

What does this measure do?

Pierce County would create an independent office to review the sheriff's department and complaints about it. County taxpayers would fund it from the county budget at an estimated $633,000 to $826,000 a year; no new tax is specified.

More about this measure

A YES vote means

Create a Public Safety Ombuds office with independent oversight of the sheriff's office.

A NO vote means

Do not create the new oversight office; current oversight rules stay in place.

Sources: piercecountywa.gov23

Last updated September 24, 2026.