November election Archives | South Seattle Emerald

by Gordon McHenry

In a couple of weeks, Washington State will mail out ballots for one of the most critical elections of our lifetimes. While every election is important, this upcoming contest has the potential to alter the course of our nation for generations, so every vote will count.

In the last presidential election, almost 77% of eligible, voting-age Washingtonians registered to vote — the highest percentage since 1984. However, turnout was only 65%. In King County, turnout declined by nearly 3% compared to 2012. Statewide, it went down by a similar amount.

While 65% turnout is high relative to other states, that leaves room for improvement.

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by Chetanya Robinson

While a plan from the Trump-appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to cut funding to the U.S. Postal Service and slow mail service has been put on hold until after the November election, local elected officials are still acting out of concern that ballots won’t be counted.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson is leading over a dozen states in a lawsuit alleging DeJoy’s changes could undermine the election, and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Seattle) supported legislation to beef up the Postal Service, calling the service delays an attack on healthcare, democracy, workers, and small businesses.

“When a person votes by mail or any other way, it’s a love letter to democracy,” said Gov. Jay Inslee during an August 18 press conference announcing Ferguson’s lawsuit. “Trump has said he’s going to rob the bank of democracy.”

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