August 17, 2010 Primary and Special Election King County Official Local Voters’ Pamphlet Published by: For more information call 206-296-VOTE (8683) or visit King County www.kingcounty.gov/elections Elections 2 A letter from the Director 23 Fact or Fiction? After removal, you need to Fiction. The stub that is attached to your tear off and keep the stub that ballot is only used for inventory purposes is attached at the top of your prior to sending your ballot. You may ballot. remove and recycle it! A letter from Director of Elections has to count and Fiction. When you “write-in” a name report the votes for any name, on your ballot, per state law, that vote is Elections, Sherril Huff even a fictitious one, that recorded but not tallied as a vote for the appears on the “write-in” line of person you named unless they declared Dear King County Voter, voted ballots. themselves to be a write-in candidate and/ or the total number of write-in votes makes Like many people, I start my day with a a difference in the results of that race. steaming cup of coffee and a review of the Every voter’s signature is Fact. Per State law, Elections staff trained morning news. I take my coffee black and checked and verified for every in signature verification by the fraud division a bit on the strong side, and I enjoy my ballot cast. of the Washington State Patrol check every news the old fashioned way—with a paper single signature before a ballot is counted. that’s delivered right to my house. It’s The first person to file for an Fiction. Candidates appear in an order important to me to stay on top of the events office appears first on the ballot. determined by a random selection process. of the day and I enjoy reading about what’s The voters’ pamphlet provides Fiction. Your voters’ pamphlet provides going on in the world, but I also care about information about candidates accurate information about the voting being informed as a resident of the broad and issues that has been process provided by King County Elections community of King County. Having good checked out by the Elections staff. The information about the candidates information makes me better prepared Department. and measures are written by the candidate to address the decisions that are mine to or a committee and we are not permitted to make. Good information also helps me research or edit. feel more confident in forming opinions that You can turn your ballot in Fact. Voting begins the day ballots are allow me to weigh in on issues I believe are before Election Day. mailed out to voters. Election Day is the important to all of us as citizens and voters. final deadline for returning your ballot. The sooner you return it, the more time there is I am often asked, as Elections Director, to to resolve any signature problems that may clarify a number of myths about voting and occur. conducting elections. It’s one of those areas You don’t have to vote for Fact. Your ballot is processed and where we all have a pretty good working everything on the ballot in order votes are counted only for the races and knowledge, but still might be a little better for your votes to count. measures you vote on. informed. I encourage everyone who is If you get a call from the Fiction. Elections has about two more eligible to vote to participate in our upcoming Elections office about your weeks after Election Day to complete our primary election, and read on to test your signature and don’t respond by work. During that time, voters can resolve knowledge of Elections. Election Day, it doesn’t matter certain signature problems and get your since it’s too late for your vote vote counted. The election is not over until Sincerely, to count. certified. It doesn’t matter whether or not Fiction. One vote may not only determine you vote since you are just one the outcome of an election, but whether or person. not a recount happens. There have been a Sherril Huff number of races in our area’s history where decisions were made on the basis of just a handful of votes. When you move, your voter Fiction. Voters must contact Elections address automatically updates to update their address via our website, when you change your postal by phone, or with the State Department of address. Licensing. The reason voter information Fact. King County produces bilingual is also printed in Chinese is materials in compliance with Section 203 of because Federal law requires it. the U.S. Voting Rights Act. A letter from the Director Reading the voters’ pamphlet 23 Why are there measures and candidates in the How are committees in favor of or in voters’ pamphlet that are not on my ballot? opposition to a measure formed? Don’t worry, your ballot is correct. Districts choosing to participate in a voters’ pamphlet are responsible for appointing The measures and races on your ballot are the committee members who agree to write measures and races that you are eligible to statements. vote and reflect the districts in which you are registered to vote. The statements are a way to persuade voters to vote for or against the measure. What is an explanatory statement? King County Elections is not responsible for the An explanatory statement is prepared by each content of the statements. district’s attorney stating the effect of the ballot measure if passed into law. Table of contents 2 A letter from the Director 46 Legislative District No. 45 3 Reading the voters’ pamphlet 49 Legislative District No. 46 3 Table of contents 51 Legislative District No. 48 4 Ballot drop boxes & accessible voting King County 4 Voter information 54 Prosecuting Attorney 6 Duties of offices in this election Judicial 7 United States Senator 55 State Supreme Court United States Representatives 58 Court of Appeals 15 Congressional District No. 1 59 Northeast Electoral District 17 Congressional District No. 2 Ballot Measures 20 Congressional District No. 7 61 City of Lake Forest Park 23 Congressional District No. 8 62 Riverview School District No. 407 State Senators and Representatives 63 Northshore School District No. 417 28 Legislative District No. 1 64 Si View Metropolitan Park District 32 Legislative District No. 5 Reference 35 Legislative District No. 32 67 Candidate index 40 Legislative District No. 39 67 Ballot measure contact information 42 Legislative District No. 41 Ballot drop boxes & Voter information 4 accesssible voting options 45 Return your ballot by mail (requires Registering to vote is easy first class postage), use a ballot drop If you meet the following qualifications you can box, or return it at an accessible voting register to vote online, by mail or in person center at the dates and times listed. To register to vote you must be: ● a citizen of the United States; ● a legal resident of Washington State; Attention: The number of ballot drop ● at least 18 years old by election day. boxes as well as the operational hours of accessible voting centers have been King County votes by mail reduced. If you do not receive your mail ballot or lose your ballot, please notify King County Elections. Registration deadlines Ballot drop boxes While you may register to vote at any time, there are You may return your voted ballot at one of our registration deadlines prior to each election. For the drop box locations. Ballot drop boxes will be open August 17, 2010, primary and special election, you on Thursday, July 29 and close at 8 p.m. on must register by mail or online no later than Monday, Election Day, August 17. July 19. If you are not already registered to vote in Washington State, you may register in person at King County Elections the King County Elections office by Monday, August 9010 East Marginal Way S, Tukwila 98108 9, for the August 17, 2010, primary and special King County Administration Building election. 500 4th Ave, Seattle 98104 Keep your voter registration current You can use the online or mail-in voter registration form to let King County Elections know when you move or change your name. You must re-register or Accessible voting centers transfer your registration at least 29 days before the Voters with disabilities can cast a private and election to be eligible to vote in your new precinct. independent ballot at the following locations, dates and times. For more information, King County Elections can be reached at the following: King County Elections 9010 East Marginal Way S, Tukwila 98108 Voter hotline: 206-296-VOTE (8683) Weekdays during business hours: 1-800-325-6165 July 28 - August 16: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. TTY: Relay: 711 Tuesday, August 17: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Online: www.kingcounty.gov/elections Bellevue City Hall E-mail: [email protected] 450 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue 98009 In-person: King County Elections Monday, August 16: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 9010 East Marginal Way S Tuesday, August 17: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tukwila, WA 98108 Seattle, Union Station Mail: King County Elections 401 S Jackson St, Seattle 98104 919 SW Grady Way Monday, August 16: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Renton, WA 98057 Tuesday, August 17: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Ballot drop boxes & Voter information accesssible voting options Why we may call you 45 Many voters miss or incorrectly sign the oath on their return envelope.