Latest news with #DemocracyVoucherProgram
Axios
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Seattle to vote on renewing Democracy Voucher Program
The future of Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program is on Tuesday's ballot, as voters decide whether to renew the public campaign financing system for 10 more years. The big picture: Supporters of Seattle's first-in-the-nation voucher program say it allows more people to participate in politics, while opponents argue that too few people use the system to justify its cost. How it works: Seattle residents get four $25 vouchers each election cycle, which they can donate to candidates who opt to participate in the program. Most Seattle candidates this year are accepting the vouchers, which come with fundraising and spending limits. A citywide property tax has raised $3 million annually to pay for the program over the past decade, costing the average Seattle property owner about $8 per year, per city estimates. The latest: If approved Tuesday, Proposition 1 will increase the tax slightly, generating $4.5 million yearly, or $45 million over 10 years. The owner of an $864,000 home — the median assessed value in Seattle this year — would pay $13 a year, about $5 more than under the existing levy. What they're saying: Program supporters say it has broadened the city's pool of political donors and encouraged more people to run for office by reducing financial barriers. "Today, campaign donors better reflect the diversity of our city, by income, race, age, and neighborhood," King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda said in a video voter guide statement supporting Prop. 1. The other side: Less than 5% of Seattleites used their vouchers in 2023, which opponent Ari Hoffman, a local talk radio host, says reflects a lack of interest in the program. "Seattle is one of the most expensive cities in America, and yet our city government is forcing you to pay a special tax just to fund political campaigns," Hoffman said in the video voter guide.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Seattle's democracy vouchers are working. Here's the proof
A voter puts a ballot in the drop box at the Ballard branch of the Seattle Public Library in King County in August 2024. This voting location is one of the most popular in the county. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard) In American politics, money talks — and usually wins. Candidates fundraise to hire staff, print literature, and reach voters. More often than not, the candidate who raises the most money comes out on top. While money speaks volumes in elections, most campaign cash comes from a tiny sliver of Americans. In 2024, just 1% of Americans contributed at least $200 to federal candidates. Those donations accounted for a staggering 80% of all money in federal races. These donors are not representative of the American electorate. They're overwhelmingly white, wealthy, and predominantly male. Money is a problem in local elections, too. When we started researching local elections in Seattle, we found that a tiny sliver of the electorate was funding political campaigns. In fact, in 2013, only 1.49% of Seattle residents donated to a local campaign. Those donors were concentrated in the city's wealthiest neighborhoods. Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program changed that. By giving every voter publicly funded democracy vouchers to support candidates of their choice, the program has brought tens of thousands more people into the political process. Today, the donors in local elections look much more like the voters of Seattle. As the program has expanded, participation has surged. The share of registered voters contributing to campaigns nearly doubled — from about 5% in 2017, when voters first began using their vouchers to support city council candidates, to nearly 10% in 2021, when voters could also, for the first time, use their vouchers to support mayoral candidates. Seattle now boasts one of the highest local contributor rates in the country. These new donors also reflect the city's diversity. Democracy voucher users are far more representative — by race, income, and age — than traditional cash donors. To take just one example: in 2013, less than 1% of people of color in Seattle donated to city campaigns. By 2021, with voucher users in the mix, that figure had jumped to 8%. As democracy vouchers draw more people into the system of campaign finance, the program is narrowing the racial and economic disparities that have long distorted our elections and their outcomes. Seattle's success hasn't gone unnoticed. In 2022, Oakland voters passed a 'Democracy Dollars' measure modeled on Seattle's. And reformers in cities like Los Angeles and San Diego are watching closely as they explore public financing programs of their own. As Seattle heads into its fifth election cycle with democracy vouchers, and voters consider renewing the program's tax levy, the evidence is clear. The program has moved Seattle toward a fairer, more inclusive democracy. We hope Seattle chooses to keep leading the way.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor Harrell proposes renewal of Democracy Voucher Program
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell proposed to renew the city's Democracy Voucher Program, he announced on Monday. According to Mayor Harrell's office, the program sends eligible Seattle residents four $25 vouchers to then donate those funds to a candidate of their choice. 'Democracy vouchers have allowed more people to participate in campaign financing in our city, making the political process more accessible and inclusive. Renewing this program shows Seattle's commitment to ensuring that all voices – regardless of income or background – can help shape the future of our city,' Mayor Harrell said. Voters approved the program in 2015 and it was first implemented in 2017. The new proposal would renew the program over the next 10 years and would cost $45 million in property taxes over that span, according to the press release from Mayor Harrell's office. The program has faced opposition in the past. In 2017, Seattle residents Mark Elster and Sarah Pynchon sued the city in Elster V. City of Seattle arguing the voucher program violated the First Amendment and, 'forced property owners to pay for the political speech of others,' according to the Pacific Legal Foundation. The Washington State Supreme Court ruled that 'the program does not violate the First Amendment,' allowing the program to continue. Mark Elster and Sarah Pynchon filed a petition with the Supreme Court of the United States but the court declined to review the case, according to the Pacific Legal Foundation. If the renewal is approved by voters, the city says it will work on improvements to reach more diverse communities in 2026. For more information on the Seattle Democracy Voucher Program visit:
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program: What you need to know
The Brief Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program allows Seattle residents to donate public funds to City Council candidates, increasing accessibility to campaign financing. Vouchers were mailed on Feb. 24, and are funded by a voter-approved property tax, costing the average homeowner about $8 per year. Candidates must meet strict guidelines to use the vouchers, ensuring transparency and preventing misuse of public funds. SEATTLE - Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program is returning for the 2025 election, giving residents a unique opportunity to fund local candidates without spending their own money. Keep reading to learn how the program works, when vouchers will be mailed out and what to expect this election cycle. The Democracy Voucher Program is a publicly funded initiative that allows Seattle residents to financially support candidates for local office. First approved by voters in 2015 through the "Honest Elections Seattle" initiative, the program is the first of its kind in the nation and aims to make campaign financing more transparent and accessible. Eligible Seattle residents receive four $25 vouchers, totaling $100, which they can assign to participating candidates running for Seattle City Council. These vouchers function like campaign contributions, helping candidates fund their campaigns while reducing reliance on large donors. Once a resident assigns their voucher to a candidate, they can return it directly to the campaign or send it to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) for processing. SEEC verifies the vouchers before releasing funds to candidates. The SEEC will distribute democracy vouchers to Seattle residents starting Feb. 24. Once received, residents can assign them to candidates who have qualified for the program. A list of eligible candidates will be available on the SEEC website. The program is funded through a $3 million annual property tax levy, approved by voters in 2015. This tax, which applies to commercial, business, and residential properties, costs the average homeowner around $8 per year. Candidates can use democracy voucher funds for campaign-related expenses, such as advertising, events and outreach. However, they cannot use them for: Personal expenses or salaries. Cash payments or contributor reimbursements. Donations to other candidates or political committees. Supporting campaigns for different offices. Candidates must follow strict financial reporting guidelines and spending limits to participate in the program. Once you receive your vouchers, you can assign them by writing the candidate's name, signing and dating them. Vouchers can then be: Mailed to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission. Handed directly to a candidate's campaign. Submitted electronically if an online option is available. All contributions made through the Democracy Voucher Program are public record, meaning your name and the candidate you support will be published on SEEC's program data page. By using democracy vouchers, Seattle residents can have a direct impact on local elections without spending their own money. The program is designed to level the playing field, giving grassroots candidates a better chance to compete against well-funded opponents. Seattle residents can apply for democracy vouchers online. Visit the King County Elections website to check if you are a registered voter in Seattle and to update your address. If you are not a registered voter in Seattle,you may still be eligible for democracy vouchers if you are: A Seattle resident. At least 18 years of age. Either a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident ("green card holder"). With vouchers set to arrive in mailboxes this week, Seattle voters will soon have the chance to support candidates who align with their priorities in the upcoming 2025 Seattle City Council election. The Source Information for this story came from the City of Seattle and the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission. Puyallup man killed, family now sending ashes back to Japan: 'That's his final trip' 4 arrested following carjacking, crash, chase in Spanaway, WA 'You steal for a living': Everett antique store confronts accused serial shoplifters 2 bills aimed at improving community safety in WA advance Pirate plunders boat motors from Gig Harbor marina To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
