Pierce Transit (Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area) Proposition No. 1 — Maintaining and Expanding Local Transit Service Sales and Use Tax Increase
Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Only voters in this district
Results: the official election results site. Counts are unofficial until certified.
- What it does
- The Board of Commissioners of the Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area, commonly known as Pierce Transit, adopted Resolution No. 2026-006 concerning a sales and use tax for local transportation services. This proposition would authorize the collection of an additional sales and use tax of three-tenths of one percent, or three pennies for every $10 spent, to maintain and improve transit service, including adding bus routes and special event service; expanding daytime, evening, and weekend service; reducing wait times between buses; improving access to light rail, healthcare, schools, and jobs; expanding service for people with disabilities; and providing fare-free bus service to seniors and youth, effective April 1, 2027. Shall this proposition be:
- A YES vote means
- Pierce Transit would collect an added 0.3% sales tax (three pennies per $10) starting April 1, 2027, to expand bus service and provide fare-free bus service for seniors and youth.
- A NO vote means
- Pierce Transit would not collect this added 0.3% sales tax.
- Needed to pass
- A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
- Left–right lean
- A YES vote leans moderately left; a NO vote leans the other way (AI-estimated from the official ballot summary, 73% confidence).
Background
According to the Board's July 13, 2026 minutes, staff reported that, largely due to inflation, Pierce Transit's expenses are expected to exceed revenues as early as 2027 and reserves would fall below required minimums by 2032, with service cuts most likely beginning in 2031 without new funding.
Pierce Transit has not had a sales tax increase since 2002; the measure would raise its sales tax from 0.6% to 0.9%, the legal maximum, or 3 cents on every $10 of qualifying purchases.
Pierce Transit says the package would fund a 47% increase in service, phased in over five years, including new routes, more frequent and later service, expanded paratransit, and fare-free bus and paratransit service for seniors.
The Board adopted Resolution No. 2026-006 by an 8–0 vote; Pierce Transit received applications for a committee to write the pamphlet's "for" statement but none for the "against" committee.
Next elections here
Also on Pierce County ballots
Quick answers
- What does a YES vote on Pierce Transit (Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area) Proposition No. 1 mean?
- Pierce Transit would collect an added 0.3% sales tax (three pennies per $10) starting April 1, 2027, to expand bus service and provide fare-free bus service for seniors and youth.
- What does a NO vote on Pierce Transit (Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area) Proposition No. 1 mean?
- Pierce Transit would not collect this added 0.3% sales tax.
- How many votes does Pierce Transit (Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area) Proposition No. 1 need to pass?
- A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
- Should I vote yes or no on Pierce Transit (Pierce County Public Transportation Benefit Area) Proposition No. 1?
- SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
- When is the vote?
- The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.
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