Local Politics | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

This map, presented to the Port of Olympia commissioners on Oct. 18, 2021, shows a county staff proposal to move parts of District 2 into the other two geographic districts for county and port commission districts. The purple area covers District 1, the green area covers District 2, and the pink area covers District 3.

In a year that saw discussions of increasing county and port commission seats to five from three, Thurston County Manager Ramiro Chavez introduced a redistricting proposal for the three commissioner … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/20/21 | 1 comment

The 3000 Pacific Ave. SE building in Olympia will house the offices of county Auditor, Community Planning and Economic Development, Board of County Commissioners, Information Technology, Board of Equalization, Human Resources, Geodata, Central Services Administration and Treasurer.

Thurston County to move general departments to Pacific Avenue

In a press release, the Thurston County Commissioners agreed to move forward to lease The Atrium Building, located at 3000 Pacific Avenue in Olympia to house the county’s general government … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/18/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall presented to the public at a Thurston County League of Women Voters event on Oct. 13, 2021.

Be careful about what you say, what you read on social media

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall urged the public to exercise caution when sharing information online and educate themselves about the election process to stem the spread of false information. In … more

By Julia Ornedo | 10/14/21 | 1 comment

Port of Olympia Commissioner E.J. Zita posted this comment over a comment on Facebook on Mon., Oct. 11, 2021

Concerns loom over alleged misrepresentation and bad investments

A concerned citizen raised the issue of possible financial misrepresentation from the Port of Olympia’s during their commission meeting last Mon., Oct. 11. In the public hearing, Denis … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/13/21

Tumwater School District and Tumwater City boards met on Oct. 7, 2021 and discussed the city's 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge.

Outgoing Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet discusses racial equity in joint city-school board meeting

As a part of the Tumwater Community 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, city leaders including Mayor Pete Kmet stressed the need to discuss racial equity in an online meeting with the Tumwater School … more

By Kristine Javier | 10/11/21 | 5 comments

Olympia City Council: Pat Cole's Picks

It's local election season, and we're all trying to figure out who to vote for and support. Local elections are, in many ways, the most important elections. Our local governments have the … more

By Pat Cole | 10/8/21 | 4 comments

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall addressed the Tumwater City Council on Tue., Sept. 21, 2021.

County auditor: “Our elections are totally above reproach.”

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall addressed local questions about nationwide concerns about voter fraud and election integrity, as she assured voters that “our elections are totally above … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/23/21

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall received recognition as the Washington State Auditor of the Year on Mon., Aug. 30, 2021.

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall granted statewide award

In an emotional speech, Washington Secretary of the State Kim Wyman honored Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall as Washington State Auditor of the Year for her efforts in ensuring safe and … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/21 | 1 comment

Commissioner Gary Edwards spoke in opposition to a masking mandate for county workers at the Board of County Commissioners' meeting on Tue., Aug. 24, 2021.

Thurston County issues vaccination requirement for county workers

In a 2-1 vote, the Thurston County Commissioners approved a mandatory requirement for all county workers to be vaccinated by Sep. 31, 2021 or submit a negative COVID-19 vaccination test every two … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/26/21 | 1 comment

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall (top row, left) announced during the Thurston County BOCC Election Officials meeting on Wed., August 18 that her office will conduct an election recount by hand for Yelm City Council Pos. 4.

Yelm city council election to be recounted by hand following a one-vote margin

Two candidates for Yelm City Council still don’t know the results of the Aug. 3 election. Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall explained that there was one vote separating the during the … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/19/21

This image shows the special joint meeting of the Port of Olympia Commissioners meeting with Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners. Five of the six are shown in the top row, second from left.

Six commissioners agree to postpone five-member ballot measure

Port of Olympia Commissioners joined with Thurston County’s Board of County Commissioners last Thu., July 22, for a special meeting to discuss when to propose to voters increasing the size of … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/27/21

Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney called the meeting to order during the Port’s revised commission meeting on Monday, July 26, 2021 following a heated exchange between Commissioners Joe Downing and E.J Zita over discussion about an inter-Local agreement related to the lease of 200 acres of port property in Tumwater.

Port Exec Director calls meeting to order following heated exchange between Downing and Zita

“I ask not to be interrupted,” Zita said. Tension rose between the two commissioners during the Port of Olympia Commission meeting yesterday. Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/27/21

Four members of Lacey's city council met with Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong on July 22, 2021.

Lacey City Council plans to consider hybrid meetings by August

As more and more residents are being vaccinated, the Lacey City Council weighed the possibility of moving to in-person meetings sometime in August during its work session last Thu., July 22. The … more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/27/21 | 1 comment

Washington laws enable voters to register or change their registration up to the day of the election, in-person.

New in town? Register to vote. Primary Election is Aug. 3

OLYMPIA – Below are the voter registration deadlines for the August 3, 2021 Primary Election: Monday, July 26, 2021: Last … more

7/19/21

Commissioners approve purchase of Mottman buildings, lease and improvements for 3000 Pacific Ave. building

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) passed resolutions yesterday that will add two new facilities which will expand office and operations capacity for several departments. The new … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/30/21

Commissioner Joe Downing brought the proposal to expand the number of Port Commissioners from three to five members, a motion that the commission approved on June 21, 2021.

Port of Olympia commission votes to expand to five members

On Monday, the Port of Olympia commissioners approved a motion to expand its three-member commission into a five-member one through a ballot proposition. The Port’s Executive Director, Sam … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/24/21 | 2 comments

Thurston County Commissioner Gary Edwards on June 2, 2021, as he spoke at the Lacey South Sound Chamber of Commerce's monthly forum.

Commissioner Edwards spoke today about homelessness, housing, courts and crime

Thurston County Commissioner Gary Edwards spoke on the issues of homelessness, home permitting processes and the judicial system of jury trials due to COVID-19 restrictions in front of 100 people at … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/2/21 | 4 comments

A driver deposits her ballot in the official drop box across the street from the U.S. Post Office in Lacey on Election Day last year.

Special Three-Day Filing Period for Offices Without Candidates

A special three-day filing period will be held Wednesday, June 2 through Friday, June 4 to allow citizens to run for elected office for positions without candidates. Open positions … more

5/26/21

Considering running for office? Candidates workshop coming April 22

Thurston County Elections will hold a Candidate Filing Workshop online on Thursday, April 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The meeting is open to anyone interested in running for office this … more

4/8/21

The proposed levy would increase funding for the Medic One service in Thurston County.

Commissioners to hold public hearing on proposed Medic One tax levy ballot measure

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tue., April 13, at 3 pm to receive public comment on adding a Thurston County Medic One property tax levy to the ballot for … more

3/30/21