Category Archives: Pierce County

Waterfront: intersection of environment, recreation and jobs

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Photo of Pierce County Executive

Three words define him, says the Pierce County Executive.

Did you know that Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier grew up sailing on Puget Sound and even crewed on the Adventuress? Last week, Executive Dammeier talked with the Tacoma Waterfront Association about his personal connection to and vision for the waterfront. Mr. Dammeier says the waterfront is the “intersection of environment, recreation and jobs.” He believes this is a great destination, but not enough people know it.

Executive Dammeier says three words define him: action, collaboration and partnership. He noted that these words may also apply to the waterfront.

Mr. Dammeier said Pierce County has two economic pillars: the Port of Tacoma and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He believes veterans are a huge asset in our community. At the moment, he says the greatest challenge facing our community is finding ways to work together.

More information

About the Tacoma Waterfront Association

The Tacoma Waterfront Association is a group of businesses, nonprofits and individuals who protect and promote Tacoma’s waterfront. TWA holds monthly meetings on waterfront-related topics. These meetings are good networking opportunities and free for members and guests! TWA supports events along the waterfront, such as the recent Festival of Sail. Interested in becoming a member? Check out the membership levels and benefits here. Follow TWA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank you!

**Disclaimer** Engage Northwest provides communications assistance to the Tacoma Waterfront Association.

Managed social media for the Pierce County Auditor’s Office

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The Pierce County Auditor’s Office hired Engage Northwest to manage social media on two contracts: in Fall 2016 during the November General Election and from February-June 2017 to manage social media for all of their services – licensing, recording, animal services and elections.

As a part-time contractor, Liz Satterthwaite created and published content daily on the Auditor’s social media channels, including setting up the Instagram page.

The types of posts included original pictures, videos, graphics, links, and status updates. Liz monitored social media and responded to comments.

Results

Up arrow with 33%During this time, the number of Facebook fans increased by 33.4% (almost 200 new fans). Social media encouraged Pierce residents to vote – more people registered and voted in the November 2016 election in Pierce County’s history. (See PCTV’s episode “Social media’s impact on the Pierce County General Election“).

Social media also encouraged candidates to run for political office. In May 2017, the most local candidates filed for office in an “odd-year” election (no national races). Which Facebook post received the highest social engagement? It occurred when one candidate decided to withdraw from a race after the withdrawal deadline:

Digital screen in the lobby

Using Canva, Liz created slides for a digital screen in the Auditor’s Office.  The digital screen provides information to customers in the lobby, answering questions about car tabs, passports, pet licenses, voting, and more.

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Staffed meetings and events

Liz attended meetings and events with the Auditor, including voter registration at a local high school, get out the disability vote, television interviews, and a community open house about Pierce County’s new voting system.

The Auditor at CityLine
Accessible voting
Voter registration at Curtis HS
Clear Ballot open house

Pictures and videos

Liz took and edited pictures and videos, uploading them from the office and field. For example, she filmed the Auditor giving voting tips at five voting centers in Pierce County and regularly took pictures of customers, voters and employees. Some of the most engaged posts featured the employees in the Auditor’s Office.

Photo of Animal Control Officers Recognition Week.

The County Council recognizes Pierce County’s Animal Control Officers.

Thank you to the wonderful team at the Auditor’s Office!

Here is a compilation of photos from the November 2016 General Election.

Pierce County scores with new voting system

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Photo of new digital scanner

New digital scanner

Pierce County is the first county in Washington to adopt an innovative voting system, Clear Ballot. It’s faster and more reliable — a slam dunk for elections! You can see Clear Ballot in action at an open house and demonstration on Thursday, March 30 from 5 – 7 p.m.

Digital technology

How does Clear Ballot work? A digital scanner takes a picture of each ballot. If a ballot has an issue, election workers can resolve the problem on a computer screen. No more troubles with wet or torn ballots! In the past, election workers would remake an unreadable ballot by hand. In the November 2016 General Election, over 50,000 ballots were remade — this new digital technology will save lots of time and effort!

“To say that we’re excited is an understatement,” says Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor in a press release.

In addition, voting centers will provide digital accessible voting units for voters living with disabilities.

Damon Townsend, Elections Supervisor, shows how the digital scanning works in this video:

What does the new system mean for voters?

Pierce County Elections and voters will use Clear Ballot for the first time in the August 1, 2017 Primary. The election will continue to be vote-by-mail, but the ballot will look different. Instead of connecting an arrow, voters will fill in an oval.

Say good-bye to this old election equipment and ballot!

Photo of old ballot tabulators
Ballot scanners used in last election.
Photo of old ballot
Ballot used in Nov. 2016 election.
 

Technology makes it easier

_...we intend to leverage technology to make government more accessible and convenient for our residents._Clear Ballot is just one way the Auditor’s Office uses new technology to make voting and licensing easier for residents.

License pets, renew car tabs and search for recorded documents online. On the go? Update voter registration, contact elected officials and find the closest drop box wherever you are with the mobile app, Civic Pierce County.

Social media also is a “new technology” that helps residents know about and communicate with government. Facebook posts and tweets encouraged Pierce County residents to register and vote during the November 2016 election. It will continue to be a great way to engage community! Keep informed and get involved in local government — follow the Auditor’s Facebook and Twitter pages!

Attend an open house to see Clear Ballot in action: March 30

In this season of “March madness” cheer for Pierce County’s innovative election team and new voting system! You can learn more and participate in hands-on demonstrations at a March 30 open house:

Thursday, March 30 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Pierce County Election Center
2501 S. 35th St. , Suite C, Tacoma

For more information

  • Pierce County Auditor’s press release: “Clear Ballot is the clear winner for Pierce County Elections” (March 1, 2017).
  • News Tribune article: “In the next county election, you’ll vote with ovals instead of arrows”  (March 15, 2017).
  • News Tribune article: “Connecting the arrow on your ballot a thing of the past for Pierce County voters” (November 25, 2016).
  • Pierce County Auditor’s webpage.
  • Clear Ballot’s website.

* Disclaimer – Engage Northwest is a social media contractor with the Pierce County Auditor’s Office. The pictures in this post are available on the Auditor’s Facebook page.

Proud to help Pierce County Auditor’s Office during November election

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Engage Northwest is helping the Pierce County Auditor’s Office with communications and social media during the November 2016 General Election. This election will be the largest (in terms of candidates, issues and registered voters) in Pierce County’s history! Follow along on the Pierce County Auditor’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

If you’re a Pierce County voter, download the free mobile app — Civic Pierce County. You can check your voter registration, find drop box and voter center locations, find out which elected offices you can run for, and more. Engage!