ELECTION 2021: Tiny turnout so far in primary voting

Only two days left to vote in the primary election, but very few ballots are in. As of this afternoon, only 13.4 percent of Seattle ballots had been returned to King County Elections; that’s just a hair below the countywide percentage, 13.5 percent. Just six decisions to make on your ballot – two city races without incumbents (mayor and City Council Position 9), two city races with incumbents (city attorney and Council Position 8), one county race (Executive), and one county ballot measure (“Best Starts for Kids” renewal/expansion). Still not sure about the mayor’s race, in which a field of 15 will be narrowed to two? Watch the one and only in-person West Seattle forum (presented by us and the Junction Association three weeks ago) here with 9 of the candidates, and/or check out the Seattle Channel’s Video Voters Guide (for mayor and the other city races) here. If you’re going to mail your ballot (no stamp needed), do that by tomorrow so you can be sure it’ll be postmarked in time; if you’re going to use a dropbox (three in West Seattle!), get it in by 8 pm Tuesday. First round of results is expected by 8:15 that night.

Mrs. Myrtle August 1, 2021 (5:13 pm)

Does anyone know if low turn out favors change or more radical left candidates?

Mel August 1, 2021 (6:21 pm)

I don’t know this but I’m afraid it’s the more radical people who tend to participate. I can only hope enough of us are fed up with the status quo.
Spike August 1, 2021 (6:28 pm)

“Change” vs. “radical left,” huh? Interesting way to phrase that question, Myrtle. Usually, at least in state and national elections, low turnout helps conservative candidates, for a variety of reasons. This is why conservatives and Republicans are working so hard to limit voting rights and disenfranchise voters across the country at the moment. They’re hoping to hold back long-term demographic changes that aren’t favorable to them by making it harder to vote. I’m not sure if the same logic applies to local elections, though, particularly in a city as liberal as Seattle thankfully is.
- West Seattle Mad Sci Guy August 1, 2021 (7:01 pm)
  
  I think it helps candidates farther from the center. Whichever side they may be on.

CarDriver August 1, 2021 (6:48 pm)

Mrs Myrtle. My take is that a)a lot of people are probably out of town on vacation and can’t vote or b) no candidate has generated any excitement so voters are sitting the primary out and will make a choice from who’s left.

JenT August 2, 2021 (12:33 pm)

Both are correct in my case. I am back to vote, and I will vote, but none of the candidates inspires me.

Mr J August 1, 2021 (6:54 pm)

We don’t have any radical left candidates running.

spooled August 1, 2021 (7:22 pm)

Almost all of them are radical left from my perspective. Yeah, not a popular opinion, I get it. Anyway, what is frustrating is the ones I might align with may not even be close to getting out of the primary. So, I’m stuck trying to predict who’s most likely to proceed to the next round and decide which of them I dislike least. A real bummer all around. I can understand people not turning out when the choices are all unappealing to them.
Mrs. Myrtle August 1, 2021 (7:59 pm)

This is why it’s so radical. We’ve normalized this type of politics to the point that it isn’t even considered radical anymore. Just looking for a little balance and political representation of more center aligned citizens. Example, defunding the police by 50% is a radical political opinion by any measure.
- Amy August 1, 2021 (9:02 pm)
  
  You are always welcome to run.
Replying to Mr J August 1, 2021 (10:48 pm)

Are you serious that no far left radicals are running?? Have you read the voter’s guide? Especially the council #9 seat 👀The only level headed person running for that position is Sara Nelson. It goes from bad to worse and a couple that have some common sense, which hopefully lasts if they get voted into office.I feel this is one of the most important elections that Seattle has had in a very long time. And sitting it out to wait who the final two are and then vote is a ridiculous excuse, lazy and we could end up with two extreme leftist liberals to vote for. Our city needs a major course correction, if we keep voting the same way we have been this city is going to go more backwards and be worse than what we have now! Seattle is a hot mess and we need some people elected into office that actually know how to run a city and not have the main highlight on their resume say that they are an activist.

Norman August 1, 2021 (7:31 pm)

Then where are the voters?

TJ August 1, 2021 (8:19 pm)

I assume you are kidding Mr J. The majority of candidates for these positions are far left or flat out socialists. The “progressive” liberals in this city now make the liberals of 30+ years ago look conservative. It looks like more candidates that want to take more of our money in taxes, while pushing to decriminalize many crimes (property crime in particular) that alienate the taxpayers who pay the bills. Yawn

Reed August 2, 2021 (5:53 am)

When are you moving to AZ?

Also, I’m sure all you informed conservatives actually know the difference between a socialist and a democratic socialist, right?
- V August 2, 2021 (4:34 pm)
  
  I keep wondering that too every time TJ shows up here…

Lauren August 1, 2021 (8:55 pm)

Don’t worry, all, this radical leftie voted!

John August 1, 2021 (10:10 pm)

My household also voted straight ticket radical left.
- Spike August 1, 2021 (11:48 pm)
  
  I must sadly report, to the shock of many concerned commenters here, that my household also decided to vote for the radical leftist agenda. I’m afraid to tell you that we won’t be happy until Seattle is a socialist city with no police. We might even let everyone have a house. If things keep going our way we might even get Jeff Bezos to pay taxes at some point! We’re trying to stay realistic, though.
  - S.A. August 2, 2021 (12:01 pm)
    
    Another “radical left” household checking in. We voted for candidates who align with our priorities.
  - wscommuter August 2, 2021 (3:24 pm)
    
    “I’m afraid to tell you that we won’t be happy until Seattle is a socialist city with no police”. Hard to put into words how stupid this comment is. Can only shake my head. Fortunately it will never come to pass … but these are some of our neighbors. Wow.
    - Spike August 2, 2021 (4:14 pm)
      
      Quick, look up, there’s a joke flying over your head.

Peter S. August 1, 2021 (8:59 pm)

Then let’s add in the judicial elections, when they happen. You may not like the incumbent, but nobody else is running. So what’s a voter to do?

aa August 1, 2021 (9:01 pm)

After all that has happened, and still happening in our city and all over the country, it seems many still don’t see that voting is important at all levels. The only vote that doesn’t count is the one you don’t cast.

Better Candidates Please August 1, 2021 (9:02 pm)

Almost every candidate in every race is terrible, no matter where they fall on the political spectrum. There is literally one person I like and am happy to vote for. For every other race I just sighed and picked the best of what was on the list. I have not found myself with the time to delve into it personally, but I would love to figure out why the candidate pools here, particularly for mayor, are so lackluster. How do we fix THAT problem? Is it about campaign finance? Is it because people complain so much and blame the mayor for everything so nobody with a head on their shoulders wants the job? Is it a time or money thing? I’ve lived in this city 20 years and have yet to see even a decent candidate for mayor, let alone a decent mayor, and at this rate I will die without ever having seen one. On topic, yes, I did vote anyway. Because I always do. I just needed to vent a little about it though. Thanks for listening.

1994 August 1, 2021 (9:21 pm)

I voted! And I was happy to see as I was pulling out of the White Center Library parking another voter came right after me to drop off their ballot.

Auntie August 1, 2021 (9:32 pm)

I hope everyone votes for that Houston fellow so he can show us all of the affordable housing that he knows about in Seattle that nobody else can seem to find.

Replying to Auntie August 1, 2021 (11:00 pm)

Oh Auntie…..with Houston we have a serious problem. He for one can’t even manage his personal finances & business. The only way he raised money for his campaign was harvesting the $100 we are given by the city to “donate” to campaigns. He wants to make it harder for cars in Seattle and yes he is 30+ and doesn’t know how to drive. He wants to promote a citizen to be the next police chief. He has complete nonsensical answers for homelessness & crime. If he gets on the ballot, I am out! I was born here(1970),lived here my entire life, on my fathers side I am 5th gen West Seattle, 3rd on my moms and I love it so much but the activists playing politicians make it really hard to stay.
- Auntie August 2, 2021 (9:48 am)
  
  “Houston, we have a problem” – LOL! In case you couldn’t tell, I was being sarcastic, by the way. That guy has only lived here a couple of years and yet thinks he can solve problems that long-time, even native, residents haven’t figured out…

Kathy August 1, 2021 (11:02 pm)

Who wants to lead a city where the citizens are endlessly bitching and moaning and then don’t even lift a finger to get civically engaged? You’re welcome, Auntie, I did vote for Andrew Grant Houston. He has the right message, a rising tide lifts all boats.

Scubafrog August 2, 2021 (1:33 am)

Woooooo Andrew Grant Houston!!!! No more unvaxxed trumpanzee whiners in the 206! EVER
- wseattleite August 2, 2021 (12:50 pm)
  
  Unvaxxed Trupanzee whiners in the 206? Please tell us where all of these people you reference are in the 206? Hate to tell you, they have a minuscule affect on the 206 if any at all. It is kind of like blaming penguins for all of the palm trees in Florida.
Gratitude August 2, 2021 (6:44 am)

Thanks, Kathy! Harrell vs. Houston would let many of us breathe a sigh of relief.
The King August 2, 2021 (8:12 am)

His message is confusing. More of hypocrisy than anything. He wants you out of your car even though he can’t drive one, wants to tax the “rich”, doesn’t have a job…..and apparently doesn’t feel the need to pay over $20,000 in back rent. This guy needs to get his own life together before trying to run everyone else’s.
Boatless August 2, 2021 (8:12 am)

“A rising tide lifts all boats*”
*must own a boat first
Rick August 2, 2021 (8:16 am)

“A rising tide lifts all boats”. Except the ones it sinks.

waikikigirl August 2, 2021 (4:46 am)

Even though I can’t vote for anyone in the City of Seattle (live in Burien) PLEASE think really long and hard on who you bring into office…let’s get this City back where it once was, a very beautiful City to live in.FWIW…born (1955) , raised and more than likely will die here.

Western August 2, 2021 (6:25 am)

Maybe they no longer trust the election process. I know I don’t.

helpermonkey August 2, 2021 (8:20 am)

the only “radical” I saw running was Goodspaceguy, again.

miws August 2, 2021 (9:36 am)

Helpermonkey, Don’t forget Alex Tsimerman… —Mike

Community Member August 2, 2021 (9:52 am)

@Replying to Mr J – “and we need some people elected into office that actually know how to run a city and not have the main highlight on their resume say that they are an activist.”Sixkiller certainly has the resume and related experience. He’s got my vote for that reason, but he hasn’t gotten much attention – probably 7th place or something.

KB August 2, 2021 (2:13 pm)

I will say that I dropped my ballot off today and saw a steady stream of cars coming in to the parking lot to vote. :). I would have gotten mine in earlier, but I wasn’t familiar with many of the candidates and needed time to research them. Hoping that’s the case with others and that a larger percentage turn out today and tomorrow.

KWest Seattle August 2, 2021 (3:59 pm)

Does anyone who is not proudly “radical left” have a favorite? Is Bruce Harrell reasonable?

Bekind2021 August 2, 2021 (8:39 pm)

Yes, Bruce Harrell.
1994 August 2, 2021 (11:13 pm)

Vote BRUCE!!!!

DeeJay August 2, 2021 (5:23 pm)

Any August election is extremely poorly planned; it’s guaranteed low participation because it’s summer – vacations, busy times for all, not taking things serious.