ELECTION 2023: One week left to vote. 90 percent haven’t, yet

King County Elections is again posting frequently updated stats on how many ballots have been received. As of this afternoon – with exactly one week left to go – only 10.1 percent of ballots countywide are in, with the percentage slightly higher in our area (10.46 percent of voters in Seattle City Council District 1). That’s a lower percentage than at this point in the 2019 election, when 12 percent of D-1 ballots were in. As listed here earlier this month, you have nine decisions to make, and 8 pm Tuesday, November 7th, is the deadline to get your ballot into an official dropbox; send it earlier if you’re using USPS, because you need to ensure it’s postmarked by that date.

No ballot October 31, 2023 (4:12 pm)

In all the years we’ve done the needless (and potentially corruptible) mail-in voting, I’ve never not received a ballot well in advance. Until now. So my only option is online, which I trust even less. Not sure if a King Co or postal issue, but perhaps it at least partly explains the low voting rate?

Jay October 31, 2023 (5:42 pm)

Not true. Online voting is not a thing in king county. However you can download and print a replacement ballot or go to an in-person voting center to vote if necessary.
- No ballot October 31, 2023 (8:30 pm)
  
  Correct you are. The online system does allow you to “mark and print your ballot,”, which I originally misread to mean I could submit my vote electronically (in my haste thinking allowances were made for missing ballots ). If I can’t get a new ballot in time, I’ll look into in-person voting.
Aaron B October 31, 2023 (8:42 pm)

Voting by mail and using drop boxes are safe and trustworthy ways to vote thanks to numerous security features that protect against fraud.https://www.brennancenter.org/voting-mail-and-using-drop-boxes-are-safe-and-trustworthy-ways-vote-thanks-numerous-security
ok October 31, 2023 (9:49 pm)

It’s perfectly safe. Here’s the county site for replacing a lost ballot: https://kingcounty.gov/en/legacy/depts/elections/how-to-vote/ballots/replacing-a-ballot-or-envelope
Confused October 31, 2023 (11:17 pm)

No Ballot: I’m confused. You believe voting by mail is needless but the problem you have is that you didn’t get your vote by mail ballot?

waikikigirl October 31, 2023 (5:24 pm)

90% haven’t voted yet…don’t blame anyone but yourself if you get the same ol’ same ol’ then. Our ballots were mailed in over a week ago

BlairJ October 31, 2023 (6:37 pm)

A few years ago we learned our lesson when we voted as soon as the ballots came out, only to have one of the candidates we voted for do something stupid which would have changed our vote. We fill it out and drop it off a few days before the due date now.
Peter S. October 31, 2023 (6:38 pm)

Agreed. Same here.
- waikikigirl November 1, 2023 (7:18 am)
  
  That may be so, “do something stupid” but the way things have been going these past few years then… 🫣🫤 and who’s to say that, that “smart” person doesn’t do something stupid once elected.

miws October 31, 2023 (6:31 pm)

No Ballot, if you haven’t done so already, you can sign up for “My Voter Information” and receive alerts for when your ballot is mailed out, plus when it is received back, signature verified, and ballot counted. That way, if you hear here or from other media that ballots have been sent out but don’t receive the notice from K.C. Elections you can contact them well before Election Day. —Mike

onion October 31, 2023 (7:17 pm)

A relatively small ballot, so an easy way to exercise your rights and responsibilities as a citizen. It beats having others make choices for you, or merely blaming others for the problems of Seattle. To put it another way, if you don’t vote, then don’t bitch.

Kt October 31, 2023 (7:37 pm)

Ain’t that America?

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy October 31, 2023 (8:10 pm)

Am I a bad human for not voting for any school board positions because I don’t have kids? I guess I just let parents decide on those ones.

Local October 31, 2023 (9:40 pm)

Yes. Given all that has gone on in recent years surrounding school boards and curriculum (even though things are comparably tame here). There is a concept about the closer (i.e. local vs. federal) your vote is, the more impact your vote has. Even though you do not have any immediate associations with the schools at this time, your vote still means something. Potentially more than it would say, in a presidential election.
you do you October 31, 2023 (9:52 pm)

I think that’s noble of you. It’s the opposite of voting for a certain ideology that negates a parent’s carefully-considered vote.
Sam West October 31, 2023 (11:21 pm)

I don’t think it’s fair to say only parents have stake in school board election (saying this as a parent myself) These kiddos will be your future co-workers or employees in 10-15 years. I think we all have a stake in how our youth experience the educational system and how it is governed! Not saying it’s wrong to not vote if you don’t have an opinion. But also don’t write your vote off if you’d like to voice it!

Canton October 31, 2023 (8:44 pm)

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. Plato

elephant in the room October 31, 2023 (9:53 pm)

OR YOU COULD VOTE FOR ROB SAKA AND GUARANTEE IT
- AC October 31, 2023 (11:44 pm)
  
  Ok, buddy. Very stable geniuses boosting the pro-Costa campaign apparently. Saka is really missing out by not getting in here with that extra large font moral superiority.
- Gerry flaten November 1, 2023 (9:39 am)
  
  Rob is the only one to vote for unless you want more of the same. We need more protection not less
  - shotinthefoot November 1, 2023 (10:13 am)
    
    A vote for Saka is a vote for Maga-money. No thanks! Keep the wingnuts out.
    - Moderate November 1, 2023 (12:14 pm)
      
      Rob Saka is not a Trump supporter. I appreciate all perspectives but that is a dishonest statement. Rob is a son of a Nigerian immigrant, like Obama, he is endorsed by Bruce Harrell. The far left may see anyone to the right of them as MAGA but to say this about a liberal Democrat of color like Rob Saka is just not true and deserves to be corrected with accuracy. Please do so.
    - WS Res November 1, 2023 (12:23 pm)
      
      Nobody has said Saka is a Trump supporter. However, he is the beneficiary of a LOT of outside spending, a large amount of which comes from those who also support Trump and other Republicans.
    - shotinthefoot November 1, 2023 (12:43 pm)
      
      for those saying that Rob Saka isn’t affiliated with Trump – maybe not directly, but he is sure fine taking money from conservatives who do align themselves with the maga movement. If a far right conservative is spending money on his campaign, he’s guilty by association and he’s not my candidate. You have to draw the line somewhere. .https://www.thestranger.com/elections-2023/2023/07/28/79096219/more-than-150000-of-trumper-and-big-business-money-hits-city-council-races
    - Spike November 1, 2023 (2:05 pm)
      
      @MODERATE, the statement “Rob is a son of a Nigerian immigrant, like Obama” is not only completely irrelevant to the conversation, it’s also untrue. Barack Obama’s father was from Kenya, not Nigeria.
  - Jeff November 2, 2023 (4:01 pm)
    
    Rob is willing to lie about his opponent over and over to get elected and has misrepresented himself throughout the campaign. We can do better!
CAM November 1, 2023 (1:30 pm)

Maybe the problem here is that anyone thinks that anyone else is their “inferior.” I very much hope for you, Canton, and for all others that you are able to abandon that kind of sadness at some point.

98126res October 31, 2023 (9:11 pm)

And… decide if it’s good bad to TRIPLE the current housing levy!

Also no ballot October 31, 2023 (9:34 pm)

This is the first time we haven’t received a ballot either- thank you for reminding me Mike that we still have access. I don’t know if this is the reason but I read here on the blog a mail truck was broken into 6 days ago. Getting tired of the crime in WS… a compelling reason to vote!

98126res October 31, 2023 (9:38 pm)

Why are many positions running unopposed? This happens every election, is often judges and is odd. One explanation is judges retire early, then Inslee appoints one of his buddies to fill the term, then they run unopposed. Our judicial system needs to improve.

CarDriver November 1, 2023 (12:07 pm)

98126res. Nobody’s being stopped from running for office. Instead of complaining about not enough choice why don’t you run?

rico November 1, 2023 (9:29 am)

It really is unfortunate that one of the most significant positions we vote for is the judges and they never have any opposition. This lies squarely on the community of the legal professionals. Lawyers need to step up and fill these positions.

Mellow Kitty November 1, 2023 (9:29 am)

90% of people haven’t voted!?! If you don’t vote, shut your mouth; you don’t get to 🤬 about local or federal government policies.

flimflam November 1, 2023 (10:51 am)

Of course all the ballots are not in yet but this is shaping up to be some seriously pathetic turnout…Voting couldn’t possibly any easier to do in our area. No excuse for not doing so.

Sue H November 1, 2023 (11:28 am)

Why do we always have to have all these comments shaming those who didn’t vote when there is almost a week left to get them postmarked? They are not late, and just because I didn’t fill out and return my ballot the same day that it arrived doesn’t mean I’m shirking my responsibility as a voter. Yes, I know that the percentages of people who vote usually isn’t as high as it probably should be, but it’s way too early to be trashing people who didn’t vote yet.

Admiral-2009 November 3, 2023 (6:48 pm)

I’ve voted already, how can I get all campaigns to stop emailing and mailing me?

DavidWS November 5, 2023 (8:42 pm)

Have you seen this video of Maren Costa’s malfunction when asked how she (a high-end millionaire) empathizes with low income communities. Quick answer? She doesn’t. I’m sorry, but no amount of tech-training replaces lived experiences. No sitting in a warm tech-seminar, enjoying coffee & donuts for an afternoon, can replace life experiences. Despite her claim, she did not “walk in the shoes” of those struggling to pay their bills, missing meals, having their electricity turned off. To claim that she did is callous and out of touch.

Contrast this with Rob Saka’s clear answer as to how and why he empathizes; he’s cut from the same cloth. Foster child, who overcame the trauma, joined and made officer in the military, returned home to serve on various commissions and non-profit boards. He gets us, because he is us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQcNxDi3eRo

Sorry, comment time is over.