By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Your ballot should have arrived by now, so you might take some time this weekend to fill it out and send it back. Whenever you do that, the choices you’ll be asked to make include only one open local office: 34th Legislative District State House Position 1, one of the three people who represent this area in the Washington State Legislature. The longtime holder of that position, State Rep. Eileen Cody, is retiring. Two other West Seattle women, Leah Griffin and Emily Alvarado, were the top two finishers in a three-candidate primary. Since this campaign has been light on local forums/debates (the 34th District Democrats held one in May), we decided to interview both candidates on video so you could see and hear them before you vote, if you haven’t already made up your mind.

We conducted these interviews over the past two days and present both unedited. Aside from starting with the question “Why do you want this job?” both conversations took slightly different turns, rather than covering a preset punchlist of questions. The candidates have a lot in common – both West Seattle residents, both Democrats, both first-time candidates. And when we got down to specifics, similar positions on hot issues, too. But they have traveled different paths to get to this campaign, and have different issues about which they’re most passionate, as you’ll hear.

EMILY ALVARADO: Alvarado is a former Seattle Office of Housing director, now employed with a national nonprofit that focuses on housing. She says her experience in the public and private sectors gives her experience that will translate to effective service as a legislator. Here’s her page on the King County Elections website with her candidate statement and background basics. We interviewed Alvarado on Thursday at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse:

LEAH GRIFFIN: Griffin is a school librarian who became an advocate for sexual-assault victims after she became one. She says her experience working with state and federal leaders to pass legislation is experience that will enable her to hit the ground running, and she promises to be the kind of elected official from whom she sought help – one that solves people’s problems. Here’s her page on the King County Elections website with her candidate statement and background basics. We interviewed Griffin today at Work and Play Lounge:

Whoever you’re voting for, your ballot has to be in a King County dropbox by 8 pm Tuesday, November 8th, or in a postal mailbox in time to be postmarked no later than November 8th. (Here’s our quick overview of what else is on it.)

After next year’s election, the seven district-elected City Councilmembers will be representing areas with new boundaries. What those district boundaries will be has yet to be finalized – and relatively late in the process – with less than two weeks until a final vote – there are new suggestions, with your feedback requested. Here’s the news release (and a reminder, District 1 is the one that includes West Seattle):

The Seattle Redistricting Commission continues its process of examining how to redraw the boundaries of Seattle’s seven City Council Districts and is inviting community members to offer feedback on four distinct maps. Members of the public can review and provide input on the maps at seattle.gov/redistricting/how-to-participate.

During the regularly scheduled Seattle Redistricting Commission meeting on October 25, the Commission discussed various revisions to the official Amended Draft Map that was adopted on October 18, 2022. These revisions are presented as Discussion Maps below.

Commissioner Nickels proposed a Discussion Map that:

Uses I-5 as the primary boundary for Districts 1 and 2.
Keeps Pioneer Square and West Seattle whole in District 1.
Keeps Chinatown International District and Beacon Hill whole in District 2.
Keeps Central District whole in District 3.
Uses I-5 as the boundary for Districts 5 and 6.
Keeps Magnolia whole and together with Queen Anne in District 7.
Keeps Eastlake and Fremont whole in District 4.
Keeps Lake City and Northgate whole in District 5.
Keeps Ballard whole in District 6.

Commissioner Juarez proposed a Discussion Map that:

Extends the south end of District 6 and District 7 boundary along 28th Ave W from W McGraw St to W Howe St. This removes the quickly turning boundary that followed W McGraw St, Condon Way W, and 30th Ave W before meeting with W Howe St.

Commissioner O’Sullivan is sponsoring a Discussion Map submitted by a community member that:

Moves the area of Magnolia west of 15th Ave W and down to the Magnolia Bridge to District 6.
Moves the area between Aurora Ave N and Stone Way N, between NE 50th St and Lake Union, to District 6.
Moves all of Eastlake to District 7.
Moves all the blocks in First Hill bounded by I-5, Boren Ave, and James St to District 7.
Moves the University of Washington to District 3.
Moves all Green Lake and Meridian east of Aurora Ave N, south of NE 85th St, west of I-5, and north of NE 50th St, to District 4.
Keeps Districts 1, 2, and 5 unchanged.

Members of the public are invited to submit public comment on these proposed adjustments. The Seattle Redistricting Commission plans to vote on a final map at their meeting on Tuesday, November 8. The public comment period will remain open until the Commission files the final district plan on or before November 15, 2022.

Make a public comment
-In-person or online at the Seattle Redistricting Commission special meeting on Monday, October 31 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Meeting will be held at Seattle City Hall, Room L280, 600 4th Avenue. Public can also participate online.
-In writing using the Seattle Redistricting Commission’s public comment submission form.

Whichever maps are finalized, those will be the new district boundaries starting with the 2023 elections.