2024 City Charter Review Process
The City Charter review process is underway. Details and full language of the proposed amendments to the City Charter, which will appear in the November 5, 2024, ballot, are available online at www.cityoftacoma.org/CharterReview.
The City Clerk is the election official for the City and can answer inquiries relating to running for municipal elections or the referendum and initiative process. Please contact the City Clerk at (253) 591-5361 for assistance with elections.
Pierce County Auditor’s Office
The Pierce County Auditor's Office conducts the election and has additional information for candidates. The office is located at:
Terms of Office
Terms of office for Mayor, Council Members, as well as the Civil Service Board positions, are four years.
Qualifications for Office and Responsibilities of the City Council
The City Charter provides that citizens seeking to run for City Council must be qualified electors and City residents for two years immediately preceding the time of filing. In addition, if a citizen is running for a district position, he or she must be a resident in the district for one year immediately preceding the time of filing.
The Council is responsible for enacting all legislation, developing policies, and making general policy decisions for governing the City of Tacoma. Council duties include adopting and amending City laws; approving the budget; establishing City policies and standards; approving contracts and agreements; and representing the City. The Council meets every Tuesday at 5 PM in the City Council Chambers (Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street, first floor). Five Council Members constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Qualifications for Office and Responsibilities of the Civil Service Board
The City Charter provides that citizens seeking to run for the Civil Service Board must be qualified electors and City residents.
The Civil Service Board is responsible for administering the City’s civil service system; investigating any and all matters relating to conditions of employment in the service of the City as they affect civil service employees; making and promulgating Civil Service and Personnel Rules; and hearing appeals on matters arising out of or in connection with the Civil Service and Personnel Rules violations.
Compensation for Council Members and Civil Service Board
Council Members:
As determined by the Citizen Commission on Elected Salaries.
Civil Service Board:
Civil Service Board members serve without compensation.
Voter Registration
Citizens can register to vote online at
vote.wa.gov or by contacting the Pierce County Election Division at (253) 798-VOTE (8683).
To request this information in an alternative format, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (253) 591-5505, TTY 711, or Washington Relay at (800) 833-6384.