A ballot gives you choices, but it doesn’t always answer the questions behind them. Tacoma’s NAACP wants to make room for those conversations at On My Bloc(k): From the Block to the Ballot, a free community gathering on Saturday, October 17. Hosted by the branch’s Civic Engagement Committee, the event combines election information with food, activities and opportunities to connect.
The morning program, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., includes conversations with local candidates and ballot-measure representatives. Attendees will have opportunities to ask questions and learn what different elected positions actually do. Lunch and time to meet neighbors and community organizations follow, keeping the conversation going beyond the formal program.
From 2 to 5 p.m., the focus shifts to interactive workshops, activities and competitions. Topics include recognizing trustworthy election information, spotting questionable or AI-generated content and finding ways to participate in issues you care about. Organizers also promise prizes, giving the afternoon a little more energy than a sit-and-listen presentation.
The timing puts the gathering early in the voting period. Pierce County plans to mail ballots on October 13 for the November 3 general election, and voters can return them as soon as they arrive. For anyone who still needs to register, the online and mail registration deadline is October 26; mail registrations must be received by that date. In-person registration remains available through Election Day at 8 p.m.
The gathering also connects with the Tacoma branch’s broader mission of expanding political, educational, social and economic equality in Tacoma and Pierce County. Its stated goals include removing barriers to participation and building relationships across the community. This event offers a practical starting point: bring the questions you have, hear from others and explore how civic decisions connect with daily life.
On My Bloc(k) runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Building 11 cafeteria at Tacoma Community College, 6501 S. 19th St. It is free and open to the community, with lunch and snacks provided. Whether you’re puzzling over an unfamiliar office or looking for ways to get involved, the organizer’s full schedule and registration page offer a closer look at what’s planned. Check it out here.
Discover more of Tacoma in today’s Tacoma Local Minute. Catch the rest of today’s local news, events, and updates in the full issue here.