August 6, 2013 Primary and Special Election King County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet For more information call 206-296-VOTE (8683) or visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections A letter from the Director, Sherril Huff Dear King County Voter: Another graduation season just passed bringing the reminder of how fast change happens. We’ve been voting by mail for four years in King County and each has been one of signifi cant change. King County voters have done a great job adjusting to change and you may appreciate knowing that your elections department has as well. With over 1.17 million voters spread out over more than 2,000 voting districts, the challenge to implement change, while protecting the integrity of each vote has been, at times, a monumental endeavor. In our quest to make elections processes more effi cient and reduce costs, the world of technology has certainly provided a range of remarkable options. However, it’s been our impatient, questioning and innovative work force that has been the strong, beating heart of the most effective, forward-thinking changes. Thanks to them, we have achieved greater effi ciency, resolved problems and improved our ability to meet expectations of King County voters. We are working to provide outstanding voter experiences, employing means that offer more choices each year. Multi-channel delivery, empowerment, simplifi ed and streamlined options, and relevancy-- this is a vocabulary that is associated today with service. We have also benefi tted from the help of many strategic partnerships, including vendors, other public agencies, and organizations. We are working together to make sure more citizens are engaged in voting with better understanding of the voting process. Creative use of technology has streamlined ballot processing and improved customer service delivery in a variety of ways. We improved connections with voters through social media, webcams and web-based information and services. Sophisticated solutions have been designed by staff with the support of our technical team to update and improve candidate fi ling processes. Additionally, with support from the county’s technical services staff, Elections staff developed and launched a mobile-optimized website with easy access to the information voters wanted most. An external mapping application is another new service for voters. Efforts are currently underway for more effi cient delivery and management of overseas and military ballots. The use of tablet computers and strategically designed line management techniques served to assure no voter waited in line longer than 30 minutes in King County last November and wait time to register to vote on our busiest day was reduced by 50 percent The application of Lean business processes, along with Agile Workforce programs and technology improvements have combined to increase ballot processing capacity and reduce temporary staffi ng by nearly 50 percent. In addition we are aggressively pursuing cross training of staff to broaden competency and provide the opportunity for employee growth and advancement. There are many examples in place and in development that represent the creative work of election staff and our valued partners to enhance service to voters using technology. It is exciting and I believe expected. The stunning path of technology advancement in a single year signals a continuing wave of remarkable developments in election administration. We will be ready and waiting. While technology has contributed to our continued success, we’ve also made improvements associated with the “tried and true” services of the past. For example, we have increased the number of ballot drop-off locations to even out distribution and provide greater convenience across the county. My thanks to all of you who have helped make our elections among the most successful in the country. I again extend the invitation to visit our offi ce and see the processes and people who are serving the voters of King County. 3 Content Reading the local Table of contents General Information voters’ pamphlet Letter from the director 2 Content 3 Why are there measures and candidates in Contact information 4 the local voters’ pamphlet that are not on Register to vote 5 my ballot? Returning your ballot 6 The measures and races on your ballot refl ect Accessible voting 8 the districts in which you are registered to vote. Duties of offices in this election 9 The local voters’ pamphlet may cover multiple County districts and include measures and races King County Executive 10 outside of your districts. Metropolitan King County Council 14 Port What is an explanatory statement? Port of Seattle 18 City An explanatory statement is prepared by each City of Auburn 20 district’s attorney stating the effect of the ballot City of Bellevue 22 measure if passed into law. City of Black Diamond 27 City of Bothell 28 How are committees in favor of or in City of Burien 29 opposition to a measure formed? City of Des Moines 32 Districts choosing to participate in a local City of Federal Way 33 voters’ pamphlet are responsible for appointing City of Kenmore 35 committee members who agree to write City of Kent 38 statements. City of Pacific 39 City of Seattle 41 The statements are a way to persuade voters City of SeaTac 51 to vote for or against a measure. King County School Elections is not responsible for the content or Seattle School District No. 1 53 accuracy of the statements. Federal Way School District No. 210 58 Skykomish School District No. 404 60 What is the order of candidates in the local Bellevue School District No. 405 61 voters’ pamphlet? Tukwila School District No. 406 63 Snoqualmie Valley School District No. 410 64 Candidates in the local voters’ pamphlet Kent School District No. 415 65 appear in the order they will appear on the Northshore School District No. 417 67 ballot. Fife School District No. 417 68 Candidates are given word limits based upon Special Purpose District the number of registered voters within each King County Water District No. 49 70 district. Ronald Wastewater District 71 Measures King County 73 King County Elections is not City of Des Moines 74 i responsible for the content or accuracy of the candidate and measure statements. 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 did not 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 there is still a primary even Voter Registration Annex* if only one or two candidates fi le. King County Administration Learn more about the Top 2 primary at: Building www.sos.wa.gov/elections 500 4th Ave., Room 311 Seattle, WA 98104 The Voter Registration Annex is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. *Please note, this location only provides services associated with voter registration. 5 About the Register to vote Requirements Registration deadlines Top 2 Primary To register to vote in Washington, you must be: While you may register to vote at any time, there are registration deadlines prior to each Washington uses a “Top 2” system for its • A citizen of the United States election. The deadlines for the August 6, 2013, primary election. A Top 2 primary allows voters • A legal resident of Washington State primary and special election: to vote for any candidate running in each • At least 18 years old by Election Day race. The two candidates who receive the Contact information • July 8 – Deadline to register to vote or most votes in the primary election advance to • Not under the authority of the Department update voter registration information. Phone: of Corrections the general election. A candidate must also • July 29 – In person registration deadline receive at least 1% of the votes cast in that 206-296-VOTE (8683) How to register for people not currently registered in race to advance to the general election. 1-800-325-6165 • Register online with the Secretary of Washington. Register in-person at the Elections offi ce in Renton or at the Voter The Top 2 primary applies to partisan offi ces. TTY Relay: 711 State, www.sos.wa.gov Registration Annex in Seattle. It does not apply to elections for Precinct • Download a registration form from the Committee Offi cers. While there are some Email: King County Elections website. Keep your voter registration current slight variations, elections for nonpartisan • Register in person at the King County Update your registration if you have moved or offi ce, such as city council or judge, are [email protected] Elections offi ce or at the King County changed your name, or if your signature has conducted in a similar manner to the Top 2 Voter Registration Annex.