King and Pierce election directors describe threats, signature-curing and expanding dropboxes

County election officials described concrete steps they've taken after years of rising hostility toward election work and explained how local practices affect ballot acceptance rates. Linda Farmer, Pierce County auditor, and Julie Wise, King County director of elections, told the committee about on-the-ground incidents and the programs they use to protect staff and reduce ballot rejections.

"When it happens to you and your people, it's absolutely terrifying," Farmer said, recounting a 2023 white-powder incident and other attacks that forced offices to increase security and coordination with law enforcement. Farmer emphasized that drop boxes require daily management and staff capacity: installing a box is the easy part; maintaining it throughout an election cycle takes people and money.

Julie Wise highlighted voter behavior in King County, noting that nearly 70% of voters used dropboxes in the recent primary and that expanded outreach and online services have reduced signature-challenge rates. Wise said county investments in ballot-alert systems and an online cure portal helped lower challenges and increase successful cures.

Both officials told senators that while infrastructure grants helped install dropboxes, ongoing operational costs and staff capacity are recurring funding needs. They urged continued state support for physical security assessments, training and communications so voters know how and where to return ballots.