Washington - Thurston County Auditors Office
Program Title
Expanding Access: Public Transit Partnerships for Accessible Elections
Program Summary
The Thurston County Auditors Elections Division partnered with Intercity Transit to improve voter and staff access to election facilities. For Election Day, they worked with Intercity Transit to extend the final bus stop at the Voting Center past 8 p.m., ensuring voters relying on public transit had full access to receive voter services, like replacement ballots or accessibility voting. The office also enhanced accessibility at the bus stop by adding gravel for a smooth ADA transition. Additionally, they utilized Intercity Transits Community Vans Program to transport election staff to the Ballot Processing Center and Voting Center, reducing parking congestion and cutting transportation costs by half compared to county carpool options. Intercity Transit also updated its route maps to highlight ballot drop boxes and voting centers, making it easier for voters to plan their trips. This collaboration increased accessibility, improved efficiency, and demonstrated a strong partnership in service to voters.