August 7, 2012 Primary and Special Election King County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet For more information call 206-296-VOTE (8683) or visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections 2 A letter from the Director Dear King County Voter: The August primary and November general election represent the grand fi nale of our four year election cycle in this Presidential election year. In keeping with the drama and intensity of Presidential year elections, this election cycle, national headlines have focused on stories about what some consider to be safeguards and others deem barriers to voter registration and voting. Registered voter purges, requirements to provide government issued photo identifi cation, redistricting with the appearance of isolating minority communities, and screening requirements for voter registration are examples of programs creating controversy. Naturally, advocacy groups have lined up on both sides of these actions. Department of Justice law suits and Supreme Court rulings have reined in some states to address any semblance of voter discrimination. A prominent issue related to these actions is citizenship, and the fear that non-citizens are taking part in our political process. Citizen concerns about voting rights and voter fraud have increased. Recently, King County’s Election Department has received inquiries about the efforts we take to research the validity of citizenship for voter registration in our county, offering the opportunity to clarify myths about voter fraud. I’ve seen immigrant citizens avoid their legal right to vote due to fears brought with them from their former place of citizenship. Reports and proof of non-citizens illegally invading the ballot box are extremely rare. Voter registration in Washington requires signing the required oath attesting that you meet the legal qualifi cations. You are attesting to the fact that you are a citizen of the U.S. and at least 18. You are also declaring you are not under the authority of Department of Corrections and have not been disqualifi ed from voting due to a court order. Registering to vote and voting without meeting these qualifi cations constitutes a violation of the law and is subject to prosecution. A registered voter or the prosecuting attorney has the right to challenge a voter’s registration status. Having served as an elections offi cial in this state for over 16 years, I have witnessed very few voter challenges, and very rarely seen any challenges confi rmed as voter fraud. Successful challenges for fraud across the country also remain remarkably rare. Still, those states seeking to impose voting restrictions cite voter fraud as the reason. In Washington, every citizen age 18 or older meeting the legal requirements to vote are encouraged to register and vote. King County Elections does not conduct background checks on voters or question qualifi cations unless a challenge has been fi led. Be aware of registration and voting deadlines and do not miss your opportunity to vote in our historic Presidential year elections. Best Regards, Voter registration deadlines • July 9 – Deadline to register by mail or online, or to transfer or update voter registration. Sherril Huff • July 30 – Deadline to register in-person for people who are not currently registered in Washington. Contents 3 uently ask General information Dear King County Voter: Freq ed q A letter from the Director 2 ues tio Reading the pamphlet 3 The August primary and November general election represent the grand fi nale of our ns four year election cycle in this Presidential election year. Top 2 Primary 4 In keeping with the drama and intensity of Presidential year elections, this election Reading the local Contact information 4 cycle, national headlines have focused on stories about what some consider to be Register to vote 5 safeguards and others deem barriers to voter registration and voting. Registered voter purges, voters’ pamphlet Returning your ballot 6 requirements to provide government issued photo identifi cation, redistricting with the appearance of Accessible voting 7 isolating minority communities, and screening requirements for voter registration are examples of programs creating controversy. Naturally, advocacy groups have lined up on both sides of these actions. Department Why are there measures and candidates in the local Duties of offices in this election 8 of Justice law suits and Supreme Court rulings have reined in some states to address any semblance of voters’ pamphlet that are not on my ballot? Countywide measures voter discrimination. A prominent issue related to these actions is citizenship, and the fear that non-citizens Don’t worry, your ballot is correct. King County Proposition No. 1 10 are taking part in our political process. The measures and races on your ballot refl ect the Federal offices Citizen concerns about voting rights and voter fraud have increased. Recently, King County’s Election districts in which you are registered to vote. The local US Senator 11 voters’ pamphlet may cover multiple districts and Department has received inquiries about the efforts we take to research the validity of citizenship for voter Congressional District No. 7 16 registration in our county, offering the opportunity to clarify myths about voter fraud. include measures and races outside of your districts. Congressional District No. 1 (1 month short term) 20 What is an explanatory statement? I’ve seen immigrant citizens avoid their legal right to vote due to fears brought with them from their former State offices place of citizenship. Reports and proof of non-citizens illegally invading the ballot box are extremely rare. An explanatory statement is prepared by each district’s Governor 27 attorney stating the effect of the ballot measure if Voter registration in Washington requires signing the required oath attesting that you meet the legal passed into law. Lieutenant Governor 32 qualifi cations. You are attesting to the fact that you are a citizen of the U.S. and at least 18. You are also Secretary of State 35 declaring you are not under the authority of Department of Corrections and have not been disqualifi ed from How are committees in favor of or in opposition to voting due to a court order. Registering to vote and voting without meeting these qualifi cations constitutes a measure formed? Treasurer 39 a violation of the law and is subject to prosecution. A registered voter or the prosecuting attorney has the Auditor 40 Districts choosing to participate in a local voters’ right to challenge a voter’s registration status. Having served as an elections offi cial in this state for over pamphlet are responsible for appointing committee Attorney General 42 16 years, I have witnessed very few voter challenges, and very rarely seen any challenges confi rmed as members who agree to write statements. Commissioner of Public Lands 44 voter fraud. The statements are a way to persuade voters to vote Superintendent of Public Instruction 46 Successful challenges for fraud across the country also remain remarkably rare. Still, those states seeking for or against a measure. King County Elections is Insurance Commissioner 49 to impose voting restrictions cite voter fraud as the reason. not responsible for the content or accuracy of the Legislative District No. 32 51 statements. In Washington, every citizen age 18 or older meeting the legal requirements to vote are encouraged to Legislative District No. 36 54 register and vote. King County Elections does not conduct background checks on voters or question What is the order of candidates in the local voters’ Legislative District No. 46 60 qualifi cations unless a challenge has been fi led. pamphlet? Judicial offices Candidates in the local voters’ pamphlet appear in the Be aware of registration and voting deadlines and do not miss your opportunity to vote in our historic State Supreme Court 66 Presidential year elections. order they will appear on the ballot. Court of Appeals 71 Candidates are given word limits based upon the Best Regards, Superior Court 72 number of registered voters within each district. Voter registration deadlines Local measures • July 9 – Deadline to register by mail or online, or City of Seattle Proposition No. 1 80 to transfer or update voter registration. Sherril Huff Helpful tools • July 30 – Deadline to register in-person for Candidate index 87 people who are not currently registered in Washington. Ballot measure contact information 87 About the Top 2 Primary Washington uses a “Top 2” system for its primary election. A Top 2 primary allows voters to vote for any candidate running in each race. The two candidates who receive the Contact information most votes in the primary election advance to the general election. A candidate must also Phone: receive at least 1% of the votes cast in that 206-296-VOTE (8683) race to advance to the general election. 1-800-325-6165 The Top 2 primary applies to partisan offi ces. TTY Relay: 711 It does not apply to elections for Precinct Committee Offi cers. While there are some Email: slight variations, elections for nonpartisan offi ce, such as city council or judge, are [email protected] conducted in a similar manner to the Top 2 primary. Generally, the two candidates in a Online: nonpartisan race who receive the most votes www.kingcounty.gov/elections in the primary advance to the general election. You may wonder why some offi ces don’t Mail or in-person: appear on the primary ballot. When only 919 SW Grady Way one or two candidates fi le for a nonpartisan offi ce, there is no primary and the candidates Renton, WA 98057 automatically advance to the general election. For partisan offi ces and some judicial offi ces, Voter Registration Annex* there is still a primary even if only one or two King County Administration candidates fi le. Building Learn more about the Top 2 primary at: 500 4th Ave., Room 311 www.sos.wa.gov/elections Seattle, WA 98104 The Voter Registration Annex is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m.