ELECTION 2021: Don’t let that low-turnout prediction come true

(Junction dropbox, in Saturday sunshine)

As of noon today, King County Elections had received ballots from just under 25 percent of voters in West Seattle and South Park. That beats the citywide percentage of 23.7%, but it means a lot of ballots are still unmarked. If yours is still sitting on a desk or counter waiting to be filled out, time’s ticking, but it’s not too late to help beat the predictions of low turnout. Your ballot has 17 local/state races and issues. If you plan to use USPS mail, it needs to be postmarked by tomorrow, so you’ll want to get it out as soon as possible. If you’re going to use an official dropbox – there are three in West Seattle, one in White Center, and one in South Park (map/addresses here) – 8 pm Tuesday is your deadline. Lost your ballot? Here’s what to do. Want to check that yours has been received? Go here. As usual, there will be one results announcement daily, with the first one around 8:15 pm tomorrow

Smart Voter November 1, 2021 (2:03 pm)

Get out there and vote! Lorena, NTK, Oliver, and Mosqueda are the ones I voted for!

Get Out And Vote! November 1, 2021 (3:41 pm)

Hopefully more than just my vote cancels out your vote! Go Harrell, Davison, Wilson & Nelson! Our city needs you!
- Michael Hock November 1, 2021 (5:01 pm)
  
  No, I don’t think it does!

flimflam November 1, 2021 (2:54 pm)

Hopefully the final numbers are quite a bit higher. As of now, pathetic turnout.

Mr. Henry November 1, 2021 (6:28 pm)

Very sad 😞 Seattle needs new leadership. Not the same old talk the talk but can’t walk the walk politicians.We need some hard core get things folks. Not the cry babies we have now.
- James November 2, 2021 (12:40 pm)
  
  New leadership would mean not Harrell. He’s been on CC for a decade plus.

Jeepney November 1, 2021 (3:09 pm)

For all of you who complain on the WSB about how our city is being run, this is your chance to do something about it. Vote.

James November 1, 2021 (5:08 pm)

Direct action is better than voting always. Voting isn’t the most important civic duty. It’s actually very easy and also very controlled by elite ruling class. I voted but it’s not all you can do.

Brian November 1, 2021 (3:20 pm)

I’m hearing talk that this election, like the last one, is the most important election of our lives. Big if true.

newnative November 1, 2021 (4:17 pm)

I just cringe at the low numbers, especially when I think of all the paper that is wasted on those dumb ads that fill up the mailbox. I wonder if the negative ads contribute to the low turnouts.

Jort November 1, 2021 (4:25 pm)

It again remains incredible and jaw-dropping that so many Seattle residents who wore pink hats and marched against Trump are now falling over themselves to support a literal Trump republican who joined his anti-democracy insurrectionist party during Trump’s (first) impeachment trial. All because they get so ooga-booga spooked about the supposedly-scary liberal. Ann Davison is a literal republican and renounced all ties with the Democratic Party in a snitty “goodbye” letter! And this is who people want?! I assure you that, if she is elected, she will turn her office into a remote broadcasting studio for constant appearances on Tucker Carlson’s TV show and regular phone calls to whatever reactionary show Jason “Rantz” is hosting at the moment. I’m sure she’ll make Seattle super proud! Oh, hey! That sign in your front yard? The one that says “In this house we believe”? That one? We’re literally talking that right here. If you actually believe the things on your yard sign, you can not in any way justify voting for Ann “Trump republican” Davison.

Michael Hock November 1, 2021 (4:59 pm)

Tell ‘em, Jort!
Tar N Feather November 1, 2021 (5:01 pm)

Yes, Everyone change your thinking right now or he’ll continue to run out of breath and risk losing cells. Personally id rather have someone who wants common decency over someone who has literally wished death and fire upon people. People like you are what make the center blues turn center right. Cheers!
- aa November 1, 2021 (6:18 pm)
  
  I think people still don’t get that these elections are important. That so many of the people who are now in higher levels of government started at this level. City council, the port, mayor, etc. this is where we can actually make a difference. Presidential elections are important but this is where your vote can actually have an impact. Look up some of those folks you wish weren’t running our country and see where they got their start.
James November 1, 2021 (5:10 pm)

Jort is correct. Ann Davison is kind of scary level bad.Voted against her and Ken “Grifter” Wilson.
- Canton November 1, 2021 (10:42 pm)
  
  How so? Please explain your opinion.
- Moderate November 2, 2021 (9:14 pm)
  
  Cite your data James.
Canton November 1, 2021 (6:16 pm)

https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/toxic-tweets-show-why-nicole-thomas-kennedy-is-unfit-to-be-seattle-city-attorney/ Ntk is way too childish and extreme to do any good for our city. But I guess that’s why you like her. Ann Davison is the adult to get some sense of law around here. Ntk would have us regress further.
- James November 2, 2021 (11:21 am)
  
  Seattle Times is a Boeing mouthpiece that supports big businesses and developers blindly. I don’t model my voting after their bad opinions. I prefer criminal justice system overhaul, as a black man. Davison is an adult? LOL, she supports Culp and anti vaxxers and capitol rioters. NO Thanks.
Sigh November 1, 2021 (6:50 pm)

Also worth noting that Ann Davidson has literally only argued six cases in her career, all of which were short (like, 2-days max) and almost all ended in settlements. She doesn’t have NO relevant experience for the job, but she has whatever you call the closest thing to having no relevant experience for the job. Maybe she’d actually have enough experience to do the job by the time her term expires, but I’d rather have my tax dollars paying someone who already knows how to argue cases in court.
- Jort November 1, 2021 (9:01 pm)
  
  It will be very hard for Ann “Trump republican” Davison to gain enough experience defending the city while she’s instead making regular appearances on Fox News, spending her hours as an elected official talking about how stupid the Seattle City Council is. I know that’s why a lot of people want to vote for her – you know, to stick it so that cuh-razy Kshama Sawant! – but people should know that the trade-off is that you’ll be giving legitimacy to a reactionary anti-democracy fringe candidate who will spend every working minute of her career trying to embarrass the liberals (“owning the libs”) of Seattle.
- Canton November 1, 2021 (9:29 pm)
  
  Ann doesn’t want chaos in the streets like Ntk does. Do you want stores shutting down like in SF from rampant shoplifting? This needs to change. She wants police to eat covid laced sh–. She congratulates the burning of buildings. Unless you’re campaigning on the new world order bs, why do you want to dismantle things that only need some fine tuning with the correct leadership?
  - Jort November 1, 2021 (10:56 pm)
    
    Do you think that police eating “covid laced sh–” is why COVID-19 beat out being shot as the number one cause – by far – of police deaths? Would explain a lot.
Mel November 1, 2021 (7:52 pm)

Oh stop it with your hyperbole. I don’t like the direction the city is going. I voted for Ann. You don’t like Trump but you can vote for NTK? She’s no better with the way she talks about people. I’ve never seen people so upset about a politician (Trump) then justify the same behavior from someone else (NTK)! And I’m BIPOC by the way. Before you try to fear monger people about their yard signs…eye roll.
- James November 1, 2021 (8:03 pm)
  
  I’m a fellow BIPOC and I’m ashamed you’d vote for a loon like Ann. NTK stands up for justice not incarceration for the sake of it. Ann Davidson is a right wing Trumper all the way
  - Nobody cares November 1, 2021 (9:58 pm)
    
    Why is it you need to be ashamed? Everyone is allowed their own opinion & vote! Everyone!!! You should read up on Alveda King…. she speaks with common sense and wide eyes opened!
  - Canton November 1, 2021 (10:34 pm)
    
    What type of crimes should be punishable? Most theft is opportunity, not poverty. Where should we draw that line? And may I ask, if we were to defund police to those levels… would you register your phone number to a police do not assist list?
  - Mel November 2, 2021 (9:14 am)
    
    Where are you getting your talking points? She was a Hilary and Biden supporter and voter.
StopCuttingDownTrees November 1, 2021 (8:09 pm)

You must have really enjoyed Lorena’s blatantly racist ad.
Pessoa November 1, 2021 (8:31 pm)

Jort: You must mean the signs with the pompous progressive catechism planted in front yards of million dollar Craftsman’s in almost exclusively white neighborhoods with thought provoking gems such as “Science Is Real.” Or my favorite tautalogy : “Love is Love.” Good grief. These are the voters you are rallying? They make 60’s hippies look more like brilliant savants with every passing day.
- anonyme November 2, 2021 (11:20 am)
  
  Pessoa, I disagree with you often, but the above post is a LOL gem!
  - Pessoa November 2, 2021 (2:56 pm)
    
    Thanks, Anonyme, I always enjoy your posts, agree or not. After all, consensus might be important for politicians but it makes for an insufferably dull intellectual life. Cheers.
anonyme November 2, 2021 (2:03 pm)

Jort, you are very confused. Wearing pink hats was a protest against a despicable public figure who had not just admitted to multiple counts of sexual assault, but bragged about them. NTK would refuse to prosecute many of these misdemeanor crimes, such as groping. If that is progress for women, I’ll do without. If it takes a former Republican to enforce the law and protect women and other citizens, then bring it on.

Business owner November 1, 2021 (6:32 pm)

I am no supporter of Trump. I am a true supporter of a beautiful Seattle that is safe for our children, our small businesses, and leaders that are fiscally smart and make good decisions that reflect our moderate community. Think about it. This city is depressingly trashed, rest stops closed, ridiculous murder rates are up (affecting mostly young people of color), and all during a time that tax collection is at an all-time high. Please. Regardless of what spectrum you vote on… critical thinkers should see that the status quo is NOT working. Vote with your heads and not with your heart. Bitter pill to swallow, but most necessary for the safety of our children.

James November 1, 2021 (9:19 pm)

The status quo is Bruce Harrell. That’s why I voted Lorena Gonzales. Bruce has been on council for over a decade. Didn’t have a job and is running to find employment. He helps developers and Bezos and Boeing and not any of the workers and renters.

TJ November 1, 2021 (8:07 pm)

I really can’t tell if Jort is serious on some posts. That was such a bizarre off the rails rant. Sounded like you were begging people to not vote for Davison, then shaming those who do, while trying to make cheap up front alliances to Trump. Over the top anti-republican rants like that don’t make your democratic party values (socialist more likely) sound better than any republican ideals

Tar N Feather November 2, 2021 (6:17 am)

Those who have nothing want others to also have nothing, then the system can be rebuilt. Same people fail to understand just how nice life is in the states versus most other countries.
- Ron Swanson November 2, 2021 (9:40 am)
  
  Conversely, many people who’ve lived in other wealthy developed countries realize what a crapsack the US is comparison.
  - Scubafrog November 2, 2021 (2:16 pm)
    
    BINGO.
  - anonyme November 2, 2021 (3:43 pm)
    
    Ron, double BINGO.

Rhonda November 1, 2021 (8:44 pm)

Our beautiful BIPOC family voted for Harrell, Davison, and Dow. Better days are ahead soon for Seattle.

James November 1, 2021 (9:53 pm)

I’m a fourth generation BLACK seattlite from the CD who was originally redlined in then forced out. I know Harrell’s family and he’s the last person I’d ever want running my beautiful but flawed city. Hope my family cancels yours out. I voted MOSQUEDA and NICOLE THOMAS KENNEDY. And GONZALES.

NotWoke November 1, 2021 (8:56 pm)

One more strong vote for Ann Davison from this Seattleite!

Mj November 1, 2021 (10:35 pm)

NTK may not prosecute impaired/drunk drivers, think about this Jort. Impaired/drunk drivers cause numerous deaths and serious injuries every year in Seattle. For a person constantly ranting about car drivers and safety not prosecuting this serious safety item should be a big concern for you!

Lagartija Nick November 2, 2021 (10:31 am)

DUI that causes injury or death is a felony in WA and as such would be prosecuted by the county and not the city. Why are you so woefully misinformed about almost everything you comment on? Is it deliberate?
- StopCuttingDownTrees November 2, 2021 (12:22 pm)
  
  Why wait until DUI drivers kill or injure somebody’s love one(s) before they are held accountable?
  - Lagartija Nick November 2, 2021 (3:13 pm)
    
    Where did I say that? Only MJ has asserted that NTK would not prosecute DUI and he is generally very wrong in his assertions as he is in this case. I looked at NTK’s website and she says nothing about not prosecuting DUI. Additionally, even if she had said that, WA state law requires prosecution of DUI at a minimum of gross misdemeanor with mandatory jail time. She does not have discretion to not prosecute. My point being that once again, MJ has no idea what he’s talking about or (as is more likely) he’s deliberately misrepresenting NTK’s position here.

Brert November 1, 2021 (11:03 pm)

Ahh, nothing brings out the neighborly love like politics.

Niko November 2, 2021 (12:05 am)

I think people are rather disenfranchised. For example the district 9 position on the ballot one candidate supports rent control the other ones supports direct payments. Personally I feel neither of which will help the problem but I’m expected to choose one. There are some people out there that may just not vote given that choice

Scubafrog November 2, 2021 (3:30 am)

Regardless your views, beloved WS, please vote!

waikikigirl November 2, 2021 (6:53 am)

And remember some people in any circumstance will say just about anything to get what they want (or into office) but then follow thru is another thing!???

helpermonkey November 2, 2021 (8:11 am)

Not one of any of your arguments would sway me if I were on the fence. You think you’re stumping for your candidate but you’re honestly just here railing against your neighbors. Just vote. No one cares who you voted for and why.

Jeepney November 2, 2021 (9:42 am)

It is misleading and false to claim that anyone to the right of the extreme left is a Trump supporter.

Scubafrog November 2, 2021 (2:14 pm)

Trump supporters/and modern-day republicans assume any non-GOP’er today is a “commie”. Very sad. Democrats are a center-right party, corporatists akin to Reagan’s trickled-down/pro-gun (but anti-assault rifle) GOP. The US is a right-wing nation. One has to get pretty far to the left before socialism, and banning guns gets into play. Sadly, the modern GOP rejects education, and every facet of the party is extreme: Thus it’s rejected in a lot of the US. When moderate Republicans existed, they added a lot of value to all of America’s elections, and I oft voted for them. Trumpists purged them, and education from the neo-GOP, which was a travesty, and a tragedy. Leaving us with militant, extremist partisans who don’t think for themselves, and parrot trump/carlson-party lines.

Wseattleite November 2, 2021 (11:05 am)

I am not sure that a massive turnout is a great thing. The vast majority of people I know do not educate themselves enough on the problems of civil society much less ponder the specific issues to have any real valid consideration about solutions or specific agenda items. Most of them that vote simply run out and copy whatever their friends are doing at the ballot boxes in an emotional barf or seeking to fit in with their crowd. This is not thoughtful voting. Personally, I do not consider a huge turnout to be necessarily a good thing. Lemmings are not known to be great independent thinkers.

James November 2, 2021 (11:15 am)

Ah someone who is anti-democracy and pro-voter suppression. Bad take! I would argue the opposite. Lemmings usually vote for whoever newspapers and media outlets tell them to vote and think voting is the end all be all to be good civilian.
- Wseattleite November 2, 2021 (1:28 pm)
  
  James, I do agree with your assessment that there are far greater things we can and should be doing in everyday life that are far more effective than voting. If we would all look around us, help those who need help, stand up for honorable principles, and do our part to affect that which is around us the world would be greatly improved. It is time we quit looking solely at “officials” to make the world a better place.
anonyme November 2, 2021 (11:26 am)

EXCELLENT observation. “Emotional barf”…love it. Let’s face it, even illiterate citizens of several centuries ago had a better grasp of issues than our current populace. “We, the People” are mostly a bunch of idiots. General elections and juries of “peers” are good examples of well-meaning but not very effective practices.

tom November 2, 2021 (1:29 pm)

i agree…i think it may be time to vote with our feet as they say, and not take part, unfortunately.

ada November 2, 2021 (7:02 pm)

Went to drop mine off at the White Center Library box this evening and it was totally full. Like you could kind of shove the ballot in but you could still see it. No workers there. Called the Office of Elections and they said they had someone on the way to empty it.