Spilled coffee? Kids with crayons? 'State of the art' ballot scanners do their best
RENTON, Wash. -- A hypothetical:A friend spilled a bit of coffee on their ballot.
I-1631 could be the first voter-approved carbon tax, but at what cost?
Initiative 1631 puts pollution on the ballot. If passed, Washington would become the first state in the country to approve a fee on carbon emissions through an election.
If approved, Prop 1 would be one of the largest levies in Seattle history
SEATTLE - Seattle city leaders are asking voters to approve the second-largest property tax-levy in Seattle history.Supporters say it’s a needed investment.Seattle Prop 1 replaces two existing levies.“It impacts everything in our city, quality of life for all of us depends on a good education system,” Seattle Central College president Sheila Edwards Lang said.The education levy is meant to close the achievement gap in Seattle Public Schools.“We still have a lot of problems with a lot of kids especially kids of color and kids living in poverty who start school already behind,” former Seattle City Council member Tim Burgess said.Although it may be a renewal to some extent, Seattle Prop 1 on the November ballot significantly expands educational services and it comes with a hefty price tag.Voters are being asked to fund a whopping $638 million for the seven-year levy.About $44 million will pay for free community college for any graduating Seattle school student who wants it, K-12 will get $230 million, and $363 million goes to expanding free preschool and Pre-K.Lang says studies are clear early learning is a vital component to a child’s success.“We know that early learning works, ready to learn they are on track to success,” Lang said.But opponents say voters should say no.“I think it's too large both in scope and in cost,” education blogger Melissa Westbrook said.Westbrook is behind the Seattle Schools Community Forum.
I-1639 would create some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Will it save lives?
SEATTLE-- Statewide Initiative 1639 would create some of the strongest gun regulations in the county.It would:
Fight over carbon fee initiative shaping up to be costliest in state history
SEATTLE (AP) — The fight over a proposed carbon pollution fee in Washington is shaping up to be the costliest initiative campaign in state history.Campaign data shows that a total of $45 million has poured into both campaigns, with opponents raising twice as much as supporters.The "No on 1631" has raised nearly $30 million to defeat the measure on the November ballot.
Monday is the last day Washingtonians can register to vote
Monday is the final day Washington residents can register to vote in the November general election.
Program lets domestic violence survivors vote without their address becoming public
When someone registers to vote in Washington state, the address they provide becomes public record and anyone can find it. For a domestic violence survivor, even providing general information during registration can potentially put their lives in danger.
Analysis: Washington state's close congressional races could impact balance of power in D.C.
With high stakes midterm elections less than two weeks away, Washington state finds itself in an unusual position: Three congressional races in districts long held by Republicans are closer than they've been in quite a while -- which could affect the balance of power in D.C.
I-1634 will decide whether to ban food taxes like Seattle's
Initiative 1634 would ban cities from following Seattle’s lead and imposing a tax on sugary drinks. Seattle itself wouldn’t be affected, however.
Political fliers push progressive write-in candidates in races across state
The fliers found in Gig Harbor urge voters to write-in a candidate whose name isn’t even on the ballot for Washington’s 26th legislative district race. And worse, some people worry the fliers are a violation of campaign laws.
On the campaign trail: Inside the fight for Washington's 8th Congressional District
The race for Washington’s 8th Congressional District has become one of the most consequential races in the country. Democrats are hoping to turn the seat blue in a nationwide effort to flip the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives – but they face an uphill battle. The seat, long held by U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, has been red since its creation in the early 1980s.
A closer look at I-1639: Those in favor call it 'urgent,' those opposed say it's 'oppressive'
SEATTLE – Q13 News correspondent C.R. Douglas took a look at a measure to tighten Washington’s gun laws that is on the ballot in November’s election.If approved, I-1639 would create some of the strictest regulations in the country including raising the age to purchase semi-automatic rifles.Supporters argue that recent mass shootings could have been prevented with these new measures, but opponents worry about infringing on 2nd Amendment rights.It's not too strong to say there is a gun control agenda in this state, Douglas said.A few years ago, you'll recall, the Alliance for Gun Responsibility promoted the universal background check initiative.Then in 2016, it was the extreme risk protection measure, which also passed.
US House candidates spar over health care in debate
In the only debate for one of the most closely-watched midterm races in the country, the two candidates vying for Washington state's open U.S. House seat sparred Wednesday night over health care, immigration and gun control in the context of GOP control.
Midterm election ballots out for King County voters
We’re just three weeks away from the midterm election and on Wednesday ballots went out to voters in King County.
LIVE DEBATE: Kim Schrier and Dino Rossi in race for 8th Congressional District
Democrats are trying to flip an open U.S. House seat in Washington state that's been in GOP hands since it was created nearly three decades ago, running a political newcomer and national party favorite against a well-known Republican in a race that could be critical to controlling the chamber.
Big money pours into Washington's anti-soda tax measure
A campaign funded almost entirely by the soda industry has raised $20.21 million to pass a measure that would prohibit local governments from imposing new taxes on soda or grocery items.
Bill, Melinda Gates give $1 million to Washington's carbon measure
Philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates have together donated $1 million to a November ballot measure in Washington state that would charge a fee on carbon emissions from fossil fuels.
Honoring their pledge? Attack ad on Dino Rossi misleading
Ahead of the primary election in August, leaders of the Washington State Democratic Party and Washington State Republican Party pledged to run clean campaigns heading into the midterms.
Pam Roach hurls profanity at board chairman, who is her son
A county board meeting in Washington state became overly heated when a member hurled a profanity at the panel's vice chairman, who happens to be her son.
Bill Gates backs carbon fee measure in Washington state
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has endorsed a November ballot measure in Washington state that would charge a fee on carbon emissions from fossil fuels.