ELECTION 2023: Nine days left to vote. Tiny turnout so far

So far, fewer than six percent of the voters in newly expanded Seattle City Council District 1 have sent in their ballots for the August 1st primary – that’s 9,349 out of 74,100 registered voters. Nine days remain until the deadline but this time of year this can go fast, so once you decide who you’re voting for, get that ballot in the postal mail or a dropbox. Voters in our area have three major by-district local races – City Council, County Council, School Board, all with multi-term incumbents leaving office rather than running again. Your ballot also has the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, plus a Port Commission race (countywide(. Lots of links in our election preview here. Deadline for turning in your ballot is Tuesday, August 1st, at 8 pm, in King County Elections dropboxes, or if you’re using USPS mail, in time to be sure they’re postmarked by August 1st.

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy July 23, 2023 (8:59 pm)

No matter who you vote for, be sure to vote! (Channeling Will Bailey)

Bill July 23, 2023 (11:36 pm)

I live near South Park and got my ballot in the mail Friday. Was later than I wanted this year. Ended up going with Lucy Barefoot.

Joan July 24, 2023 (7:37 am)

People please vote! This is a very important election. We desperately need new bodies on the council. I’ve had two candidates come to my door and was impressed with their commitment.

Admyrl Byrd July 24, 2023 (9:53 am)

Turnout is exactly where the city government wants it; low based on an August ballot where people are trying to take the revenge trip to Italy. Sneak through a levy hike at the same time. The unfortunate thing is this will whittle down to two candidates, but not necessarily the best or the ones that represent our choice. I made a special trip back while on vacation just to make sure I had the ballot in hand, not sure others have that option.

WSB July 24, 2023 (11:43 am)

By-mail ballots were long ago called “absentee ballots” for exactly that reason. But anyway, if someone is truly away from home for the entire three-week period between ballot-mailing and election deadline, you can access your ballot online from anywhere, print it and mail it:

https://sites.omniballot.us/53033/app/home

tim July 24, 2023 (10:27 am)

I live near South Park and got my ballot in the mail Thursday. Ended up going with Phil Tavel who supports small mom/pop business.

Conjunction Junction July 24, 2023 (10:34 am)

I’m seeing a chicken/egg scenario here. People are waiting until the last minute to vote and candidate forums are popping up after we may have turned in our ballots.I made an error on my (now sealed) ballot, and I fortunately realized it before dropping it off. After calling, KC elections is going to reissue my ballot. Since then I’ve seen candidates at Seafair functions, seen info online and at WS Blog, and I have more questions and may change my mind on other choices. It makes me think that sending in my ballot at the last moment allows me to gain more insight, which is in complete contrast to my wanting to get my vote in. We’ll see how this is impactful going forward!

HC July 24, 2023 (5:09 pm)

There have been candidate forums happening regularly since June, so I hate to be that guy, but sorry! This is a case of you haven’t been paying attention. Not sure what more you need to be made aware of them, because they’ve all been well publicized here and by the candidates themselves.

Invested Voter July 24, 2023 (10:52 am)

Anyone else see in the Times that Rob Saka is getting donations from a PAC and he doesn’t know why they support him? Perhaps I misread it but that sounds fishy. At the very least wouldn’t he want to know who they are and why they like him? Also, I’ve read in numerous places and heard from several people who have spoken with Rob Saka that he talks about being pretty chummy with Bruce Harrell. Do we want a brand new city council person to already be in alliance with the mayor? Are we getting a district representative or an extension of the mayor? Rob Saka seems very charming and dynamic and I’m sure he’s a nice person, but these questions along with his apparent lack of any stance have me looking at other candidates.

CAM July 24, 2023 (12:05 pm)

You’re last point, a lack of any identifiable stance on current issues, is the one I’ve heard. He’s always been “chummy” with the mayor. He’s been identified in different media sources as the mayor’s handpicked candidate for this seat.

GinaT July 24, 2023 (10:33 pm)

Go Rob! I’ve known him for 7 years and he is an outstanding advocate for underserved communities. I first him at a volunteer event years ago where he was mentoring high school youth at a student technology event. It’s amazing to see his journey. He would represent our district so well!

John July 24, 2023 (11:47 pm)

If Saka were representing something instead of a technology job fair, maybe. Is that the only path to success? It doesn’t look good as he has provided little to no platform information. Another tech bro/attorney, I’m sure he’s a nice guy but NO to a seat on the council. Smells like a friend of the well-heeled law & order crowd, notwithstanding his claimed tough upbringing. Doesn’t represent me. Our district can & will rock without that.

GoVote July 24, 2023 (11:01 pm)

I’m a resident near the junction and have been dismayed to learn what Phil Tavel is promising these mom and pop shops. What about the majority of us who don’t have small businesses? We matter too.

Phillip Tavel July 29, 2023 (12:41 pm)

GoVote…I’m sorry, but I don’t think I know what I’ve been promising to mom and pops. Especially, something that is different from what I would do for any other constituent of or resident in District 1. What did you hear that I said?

Sorry, comment time is over.