Ballots mailed this week – use your “superpower” and vote!
October 18, 2023
Ballots mailed this week – use your “superpower” and vote!
October 18, 2023
This week 4.5 million ballots will be mailed to registered votersas important local elections are decided across Washington State. The deadline to return ballots is 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 7th.
If the recent past is any indication, we can expect less than 40% of registered voters to return their ballots and select who will lead our city and county governments for the next four years.
The question is, who will be the 40% who will determine the direction of our local governments?
Often it is those who are on the most extreme points of the political spectrum who dominate these elections. This is one of the reasons why the current Seattle City Council is controlled by extremists who passed reckless anti-police measures in 2020 and 2021, then had fits earlier this year before finally passing an ordinance to prosecute those who possess or publicly use lethal drugs.
These policies have resulted in another record-breaking year for homicides in Seattle. Tragically last weekend saw the city’s 64th murder, which already surpassed last year’s record (54), and we still have two and a half months remaining in 2023. To make matters worse, because of the mass exodus of police officers, half of these killings have yet to be solved by the SPD. Literally, criminals in Seattle are getting away with murder due to actions by city councilmembers.
And while the council hemmed and hawed over whether to criminally charge those in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin, drug overdose death numbers were skyrocketing. And like homicides, last year’s record (1,001 in King County) was broken (1,025 by October 13) with months still to go in 2023.
Andrea Saurez, the founder of We Heart Seattle, wants to alter who decides the city’s future. She has been encouraging citizens to vote and use their “superpower to bring safety and compassion back to Seattle.”
To draw attention to the importance of voting, Suarez and many volunteers plan a 5.7-mile march Saturday, October 21st, that will go through three of the city’s council districts (2nd, 6th, & 7th) where hotly contested races are currently taking place.
The event will begin at 10:00 AM. Starting at Hing Hay Park (423 Maynard Avenue South) in the International District, marchers will journey through Downtown Seattle and Queen Anne before finishing at Bickersons Brewhouse (1514 Leary Way NW) in Ballard. If you are unable to join the trek but you want to participate, then you can meet up with everyone from noon to 2:00 PM at Bickersons Brewhouse.
Suarez promises “fun SWAG, including t-shirts” (while supplies last) for those who attend. Yet the real “prize” will come from participating in an effort that aims to reverse the destructive direction of the city.
We join with We Heart Seattle and encourage all to use their “superpower” by voting during the next three weeks.
Much has changed in Seattle since 2019 when voters elected the current seven district-based councilmembers. This will be the public’s first opportunity to say whether they agree with those changes.
Four of the councilmembers (Herbold, Juarez, Pederson, and Sawant) decided not to face the voters this November, likely out of re-election concerns.
The remaining three councilmembers (Lewis, Morales, and Strauss) are each in tough re-election battles. It is likely no coincidence that the march this Saturday will be through their council districts.
It cannot be stressed enough the importance of your vote, no matter where you reside. Don’t let the most extreme voters dictate our local governments for four more years. It doesn’t take much effort to be part of the 40% who decide the future and not be part of the 60% who have it dictated for them.
Below are some links you might find helpful as you vote:
Ballot Drop Box and Voting Center locations across Washington State
For Seattle voters:
