This Fall, Seattle voters have a chance to elect seven of the nine Seattle City Councilmembers. Both Council seats representing the neighborhood of Fremont, covered by District #4 (east of Aurora) and District #6 (west of Aurora,) are up for election – with no incumbent running. This means the Primary Election – ballots are due by August 6th – has extra importance as voters now will decide which two of the long slate of candidates in both Districts will proceed to the General Election in November.
It is vital that all voters vote, but this is the time to be choosing carefully for the best candidate. In November, voters will select the better of the two remaining candidates, but now we have nearly a dozen candidates to choose from, in each district. This is the time to also learn, if you do not already know, which district you vote in. Find out your District designation, and vote for the candidate that best will speak for you, and your neighbors, on the Seattle City Council.
As the Primary Ballots rolled out, a few Council candidates pushed for more support:
- FOR DISTRICT #6 – Volunteers in the Campaign for Sergio Garcia have knocked on 12,000 doors (each District contains roughly 88,000 registered voters,) and funded their campaign almost entirely from the Democracy Vouchers of voters who support Garcia. For anyone who still wants to donate their Democracy Vouchers, it’s not too late to give them to Garcia. They also need more volunteers to help spread the word, either with canvasses and delivery of yard signs, or just spreading the word at the office, on the bus and around the dinner table. Remind your friends, co-workers and family about sending Sergio to represent us on the City Council. Find out more about Sergio Garcia on the SergioForSeattle.org website.
- FOR DISTRICT #6 – The Campaign for Dan Strauss is working hard to get out the vote, and they need more volunteers to help with the phone bank, specifically on Tuesday, July 30th, and Thursday, August 1st, from 5p – 8p. They also have volunteers going out every day to knock on doors, meeting at Ballard High School, and have a pre-drafted e-mail template for those who want to send out a message of support for Strauss to friends and neighbors voting in District #6. Go to outreachcircle.com (click here,) for the e-mail template, or visit the Dan Strauss website (click here) to learn more about this Candidate.
- FOR DISTRICT #6 – Candidate Heidi Wills has listened to the voices of voters, where they live and work, and she has declared herself dedicated to making sure her district has an advocate in City Hall. Learn about her plans for public safety, addressing homelessness more effectively, more affordable housing, support for small businesses, building a more diverse economy, environmental stewardship, youth advocacy, and constructive civic engagement, on the website. Heidi’s campaign wants to reach more voters with her message, and asks for donations – Democracy Vouchers, or up to the maximum of $500 per person. Find out more on HeidiWills.org
- FOR DISTRICT #4 – The Campaign for Cathy Tuttle encourages supporters to tell their neighbors on NextDoor.com about her, and her message. They’ve got a template for voters to use, either if they have an account – or if they want to sign-up for a free NextDoor account, or Facebook. They also want volunteer to help with knocking on doors, to reach 20,000 doors by Election Day of August 6th. Learn more about Cathy4Council.org on the website (click here.)
- FOR DISTRICT #4 – According to the Campaign for Alex Pedersen, the outcome of the Primary Election will be determined by a handful of votes. They also encourage sending e-mails to friends and neighbors, in District #4, to let them know why you voted for Alex. The Seattle Times has endorsed Pedersen for the District #4 Council seat, who they describe as “a progressive and results-oriented Democrat,” running on a platform of accountability, and transparency. Pedersen has refused to accept money from an Political Action Committee (PAC.) Learn more on electAlexPedersen.org (click here.)
- FOR DISTRICT #4 – The Campaign for Heidi Stuber reminds voters that the ballots due August 6th include votes for two levies (Seattle Public Library and King County Parks,) plus the King County Council and Seattle School District Board positions. The Candidate, Heidi, personally has walked her precinct to remind neighbors to vote. Team Stuber plans to knock on over a thousand more doors, mail to 13,000 households and call 7,000 voters to get out their common sense message. They can still accept Democracy Vouchers from District #4 residents, and they encourage you to dig them out from the mail pile now! Find out more about Elect Heidi Stuber on the website (click here.)
This Primary Election could be the most important, in its impact on our Fremont community, to be held in the next four years. Whichever candidates emerge, in District #4 and District #6, depends on who voters select now. Please make sure to vote your ballot by August 6th!