The 2026 calendar year houses the bi-annual election cycle, and this season there are three City of Plainview seats, three Board of Education seats and a host of county-wide election possibilities opening up.
The Pierce County Clerk’s office opened up election registrations on January 5, and already had a number of incumbents file.
Incumbents (that hold any elected position at all) are required to submit their intent to run by February 17 at 5 p.m.
Anyone not currently holding an office will have until March 2 to file for any of the available offices. March 2 is also the last date to withdraw their name.
Any number of candidates can file for any of the available offices, and if the total number of candidates is “one more than twice the number of seats available” the race will move into the primary election in May and then successful candidates will go to November.
If the election seat is partisan, the primary will narrow the field in the same manner to provide a choice during the November election.
Voters must register to vote prior to the election, and that process can be done online or at the Pierce County Clerk’s office, or by mail.
At the County level, this year will not have the local race for District 1, currently held by John Steinkraus, but the District 2 and 3 County Commissioner seats are up for election.
Both incumbents, Brad Albers in District 2 and Carl Martinson in District 3, have already filed for re-election on a Republican ticket.
Other available offices without filed candidates as of January 7 include: Pierce County Assessor, Pierce County Clerk, Pierce County Attorney, Clerk of the District Court and County Treasurer.
Plainview resident and current Pierce County Sheriff Deputy, Dan Hallock, has filed for the Pierce County Sheriff seat, currently held by longtime incumbent Rick Eberhardt. Eberhardt has also filed to attempt to retain his seat.
Plainview voters will be able to pick a Mayor this year, as well as two City Council members.
Incumbent Mayor Bob Smith had not filed as of the print deadline, and incumbent Council member Corrine Janovec has thrown her hat back into the race. Council member Jody Born is also up for reelection this cycle.
Plainview Public School’s Board of Education will elect three new members this year – with Tim Rasmussen, Melissa Doerr and Wyatt Frahm with terms expiring. None of the three have filed as of press time to retain their seats.
Also assumed to be on the ballot will be Plainview Public Schools’ bond election, which will have to be decided at the same time the three board seats are voted on. The current board members will determine the bond language and submit the item for election, likely on the May ballot, but no official decision has been made yet. March 2 at 5 p.m. is the deadline for such language to be included in the May election, according to Wragge.
Any questions or filings should be asked of Pierce County Clerk Shannon Wragge.