31st District Democrats General Meeting Minutes – April 22, 2026
Attendees: in room 10, on zoom 14, total 24
CALL TO ORDER/LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT (7:00 pm)
We acknowledge that our legislative district is on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup and Muckleshoot tribes, who have lived on and stewarded these lands since the beginning of time, and continue to do so today. We recognize that this land acknowledgement is one small step toward true allyship and we commit to uplifting the voices, experiences, and histories of the Indigenous people of this land and beyond.
Team said Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Rudy A moved and Elizabeth P seconded the meeting agenda. All present approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 25, 2026
Sue R moved and Rudy A seconded the meeting minutes. All present approved.
INVITED SPEAKER
Linda Farmer – Pierce County Auditor
Linda oversees elections and is responsible for recording and licensing. She is the administrator for the Pierce County Opioid Abatement Council. She stated four key points around Pierce County elections: 1. Lots of swirling around the election space, but nothing has changed. 2. There is a long track record of conducting secure elections. 3. We are preparing for all things. 4. If there are changes, we will work with the legislature to make sure our elections remain safe and secure.
Linda said there are lots of potential threats to our voting system they are preparing for like the Save America Act. Washington is a voter intense state. Our system is designed to catch any invalid votes. She noted that Pierce County has 51 drop boxes and we are adding 9. Drop boxes are solid steel with a fire suppression system. Their focus is vote by drop box. When Pierce County sheriffs are in the election center, they work for the Pierce County Auditor.
The Constitution gives the state the power to run their elections. The Federal government does not have the power. Linda said there is no way elections can be rigged across the 10,000 nationwide jurisdictions. She encouraged us to use drop boxes. If non-citizens vote, it is a class C felony with a $10,000 fine and they can never become a US citizen. It is reported to the Secretary of State. Linda has never seen a case where a non-citizen actually voted.
CANDIDATES SEEKING ENDORSEMENT (See endorsement questionnaires on 31st District Democrats website for more information about the candidates.)
Kenneth King – Pierce County Council, Dist 1
Kenneth is a behavioral health specialist in crisis response at Foundational Community Supports (FSC). FSC is a state program. He works with people with disabilities. He is already making connections with people in all the towns at VFWs, churches, and events because of his work. He said there are more resources for mental health response services in Tacoma. He wants to help improve these services throughout the county. Kenneth stated that we have a ‘988’ mental health hotline to get a next day appointment.
Kelsey Barrans – Pierce County Council, Dist 1
Kelsey is on the Pierce County Charter Review. She is running for Pierce County Council because she wants more representation by our community on the council. She wants to help the council work better together. She works at Green River College. She supervises a team who provide resources to students for basic needs. She helps survivors of abuse. Kelsey asked for help in running for her position. She would like to door knock in the community with the help of the 31st. She is attending community events.
Sean O’Donnell – State Supreme Court Pos 4
He was absent
Break and Round table Discussion held.
Doris Walkins – Pierce County Superior Court, Dept 17
Doris is a judge on the Pierce County Superior Court. She has been the Pierce County Commissioner for 4 years. Currently, she does not have an opponent. Doris was an attorney for 16 years, including a public defense attorney for the criminal and civil side. She has lived in Pierce County since 1998. Doris would love to have our endorsement. She wants to make sure that people feel like they are being heard in court. She invited all of us to her meet and greet on April 30 from 5-7 pm at the Living TapRoom in Tacoma.
NEW BUSINESS – Endorsement Decisions
Sarah E stated that we will accept dual endorsements unless it is a congressional position. We ensured we had a quorum of members. Candidates benefit from endorsements. We can give them money, they can be on our slate card and they can hang out at our fair booths.
Elizabeth P moved and Stephen S seconded to endorse Kelsey Barrans. All voting members present approved.
Rudy A moved and Elizabeth P seconded to endorse Doris Walkins. All voting members present approved.
Stephen S moved and Mary S seconded to endorse Kenneth King. Majority of voting members present approved.
OFFICER & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Treasurer’s report
Mary S showed and explained the following charts: 2026 Budget to Actuals as of 4-17-26, March NonExempt Treasurer’s report, March Exempt Treasurer’s Report, and March Recurring Donations chart. We were approved for a $1000 grant from the WA Dems to help us with rural organizing. It is not for campaign donations. Robin M wrote the grant request with input from Amber O, Judi C and Mary S. We should receive the check in May and it will be deposited in the exempt account. She encouraged members to donate a few dollars in monthly recurring donations to help support our candidates. We are an all volunteer organization.
Chair’s report
Sarah E covered the following information.
Big list of upcoming events! For more info on all of these, see our April 16 newsletter.
- WA Dems volunteer trainings: https://wadems.org/events/
- Every Wed evening: new volunteer training
- Every Thurs evening: deep listening canvass training
- Deep Listening Canvass – Lakeland Hills, April 25 at 1pm
- Deep Listening Canvass – Buckley, May 9 at 10am
Other events
- National Protest May 1 – May Day Strong: No Work, No School, No Shopping https://maydaystrong.org/
- Filing Week! May 4-8 on the Secretary of State’s website
- Are you interested in running? Let’s chat!
- PCOs also file during filing week!
- PCO Get-Together, May 28 at 6pm in Bonney Lake. RSVP for location.
- Save the date: Rep Emily Randall is speaking at our May 27 meeting!!
More news
- The 31st Democrats received a grant of $1000 from the WA Dems to support our fair booth and other outreach efforts. Huge thank you to Robin M, Mary S, Amber O and Judi C!
- On Monday, Sarah E attended the weekly Pierce County Charter Review Commission meeting. Very educational. Go see civics in action!
Other reports
Rudy A gave a report from the State Finance Committee. There was $32,000 in grant money approved for the legislative districts (LDs). There will be an independent discussion on how the residual amount of grant money will be used. It may be used to support the State Fair booth rental fee.
Kirby P stated that the Keep Pierce Blue event will probably be in October. The Pierce County Democrats sponsor this and we are all members. He encouraged us to attend the meetings which are all on zoom. The Washington State Democrats will focus on voter registration and outreach. How do we do this more effectively? How do we move away from manual forms and go electronic? The 28th LD is leading the participation at the State Fair. The Pierce County Dems want us to pay $143 for a fundraising auctioneer as well as provide baskets for the auction.
GOOD AND WELFARE
Sarah E encouraged us to attend the meetings for the Pierce County Charter Review Commission. The review of the charter only happens every 10 years.
Nic Bierman wants the position of Pierce County Democrats Representative for our legislative district.
Nic B moved & Elizabeth P seconded that Nicolas Biermann be the Pierce County Democrats Rep. All PCOs present approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Rudy A moved and Stephen S seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present approved.
