Nova Lambert
Jul 31, 2026
Kitsap County voters will decide this November whether to authorize the Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD) to enter the electric utility business, potentially creating a publicly owned alternative to Puget Sound Energy (PSE).
Kitsap County voters will decide this November whether to authorize the Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD) to enter the electric utility business, potentially creating a publicly owned alternative to Puget Sound Energy (PSE).
The measure will appear on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot. It asks whether KPUD should be authorized to construct or acquire facilities for generating, transmitting or distributing electric power.
A “yes” vote would not result in KPUD immediately taking over electric service from PSE. Instead, it would give the district the legal authority to evaluate the costs, feasibility and potential benefits of providing electricity. Any transition would require substantial additional planning, infrastructure acquisition and future decisions by the KPUD Board of Commissioners.
The proposal could have significant long-term implications for Kitsap County residents and businesses, including electricity rates, reliability, infrastructure investment and local control over utility decisions. The Kitsap Building Association will continue monitoring the proposal and sharing information as voters consider this consequential decision.