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-Welcome to the Seattle Video Voters' Guide,
your chance to hear directly from Seattle candidates
and ballot measure representatives
on the November ballot.
This is a vote-by-mail election.
Instead of going to a polling place,
ballots will be sent to all registered voters.
Each statement in this guide
is up to two minutes long and unedited.
The speakers appear on your screen
in the order they will appear on the ballot.
The people invited to appear
in this edition of the Video Voter's Guide
include representatives in favor of and opposed to
Seattle Proposition No. 1 -- the transportation levy renewal
and candidates for Seattle City Council Position 8.
First up, we'll hear from candidates
for Seattle City Council Position 8.
The Seattle City Council
is the legislative branch of government.
Members set the city's direction
by enacting ordinances and passing resolutions.
The Seattle City Council authorizes expenditures,
adopts regulations, levies taxes,
controls the finances and property of the city,
and performs many related legislative tasks.
Of the nine City Council positions,
two, Position 8 and Position 9,
are at large.
Positions 1 through 7
each represent different districts of the city.
Councilmembers serve four-year terms.
All city of Seattle voters
are eligible to vote in this election.
Seattle City Council positions are nonpartisan.
In this edition, you will hear from the candidates
who will appear on the ballot
for Seattle City Council Position 8.
This is a special election
to fill the seat of a councilmember
who left office before the end of her term.
The winner of the November 2024 special election
will be elected to a one-year term.
This position will appear on the ballot again in 2025.
-My name is Alexis Mercedes Rinck.
I spent my public policy career working on housing,
human services,
and the health of our communities.
I've gained a reputation
for bringing people together around solutions
and making them happen.
I got my master's degree at the Udub,
and since then, I've worked across 39 local cities
and with over 100 different organizations in my career.
I've championed agreements
with unanimous votes from city councils,
and I've led the development
of a King County-wide five-year plan
to address homelessness.
While I approach policy with data and measurable outcomes,
I'm equally informed by my personal experience.
My birth parents met in a gang when they were just teenagers,
and after my birth dad went to prison,
my birth mom lost custody of me.
Because of my grandparents,
I didn't have to land in the foster care system.
I got to grow up in a resourced community
and a proud union household,
and I was given the tools I needed to heal.
My family struggles mirror many of the challenges
we face in Seattle,
but we can break these cycles
with affordable and supportive housing,
safe and healthy communities,
and by ensuring that no child is limited
from reaching their full potential.
On council, I'll work collaboratively
to address Seattle's challenges with proven solutions
and personal understanding.
We need public safety targeted at reducing crime and harm,
a coordinated and scaled law enforcement
and alternative response system,
gun violence prevention, and accountability
to truly make our community safer.
We need affordable housing at every level
so seniors, working families, and renters like myself
can remain in the city and build generational wealth.
We need climate action without compromise,
including transit and electrification,
more sidewalks, and green infrastructure.
But most importantly, we need progressive revenue solutions
to balance our growing budget deficit
and protect the necessary investments
that support our communities.
I'm so excited about this opportunity
to ensure our city is safe, affordable,
and leading the way to a better future,
and I'm proudly endorsed by labor unions,
democratic groups across the city, and trusted leaders.
Please learn more at alexisforseattle.com.
Thank you.
-Hello, I'm Tanya Woo
and I'm running to be your City Council member.
For generations,
my family has lived, worked, and served
in all areas of Seattle.
I grew up in Beacon Hill,
worked at my family business
in the Chinatown International District,
and now live in Rainier Valley.
My story is the story of Seattle.
My deep roots here drive my passion
to make Seattle a city where everyone can thrive.
This election is about choosing a new path forward.
Do we continue with policies
that have left our communities vulnerable,
or do we embrace innovative, compassionate,
and effective solutions?
My commitment to you is clear.
I will fight for a safer, more inclusive Seattle
where every voice is heard
and every resident has the opportunity to succeed.
Public safety is my priority
and it requires balance and innovation.
Every week, I work alongside first responders
and my housed and unhoused neighbors,
practicing a model of alternative policing
that puts community first.
This hands-on experience shapes my vision
for a city that doesn't just respond to crisis,
but actively prevents them
through thoughtful, forward-thinking strategies.
I've led efforts to expand our community safety net
by supporting police where they're needed,
while investing in alternatives like the CARE Team
and proven diversion programs like LEAD.
These initiatives work by addressing root causes.
Housing affordability is another cornerstone of my campaign.
As the only candidate who has built affordable housing,
I've seen firsthand the impact
that safe, accessible housing can have on a community.
I know we can create more affordable housing options
for everyone, from seniors to working families,
so that we can keep our diverse communities together
and allow every Seattleite to build a future.
Over the past year, I've spoken to thousands of people
and Seattle is at a crossroads.
We must move forward with bold leadership.
I'm Tanya Woo and I would be honored to have your vote.
-Seattle Proposition No. 1 --
Property Tax Levy Renewal for Transportation.
Proposition 1 concerns
renewing the Seattle Transportation Levy.
A simple majority of 50% plus one
is required for passage of this proposition.
If Proposition 1 passes,
the city would be authorized to raise up to $1.55 million
over eight years, beginning in 2025.
The levy would fund safety and access projects
such as paving, sidewalk and bridge maintenance,
infrastructure modernization,
transit improvements, connections to light rail,
new sidewalks, and pollution reductions.
The additional tax rate associated with this proposition
would be approximately 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed value
for each property owner.
A resident-led oversight committee
would monitor and report on the levy's progress.
-Proposition 1 will keep Seattle moving
with critical investments
in our city's aging roadways and bridges,
sidewalks, transit, and more.
This measure will build off the success
of the current expiring levy
and focus on immediate safety and mobility needs.
Proposition 1 funding will allow us
to repave 15 heavily used corridors throughout Seattle,
fill potholes within 72 hours,
upgrade safety and mechanics on important bridges,
and build 350 new blocks of sidewalks,
and improve lighting and crosswalks citywide.
Prop 1 also improves connectivity, transit access,
and sustainability.
Your "yes" vote will make it easier
to walk and take transit to light rail stations,
schools, and community destinations.
It will help speed up buses
and improve safety at Metro bus stops,
it will bring accessible EV charging to public spaces,
improve dedicated bike lanes
and plant thousands of new street trees.
This eight-year package was developed by a broad coalition
to meet our city's transportation needs.
It will receive independent public oversight
to ensure accountability and project delivery.
Please join Mayor Harrell,
every member of our City Council,
the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber,
Downtown Seattle Association, MLK Labor Council,
Disability Rights Washington,
Cascade Bike Club, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways,
and my organization,
Transportation Choices Coalition, and many more
in voting "yes" on Prop 1.
Let's keep Seattle moving. Thank you.
♪♪
-You've just seen all the video statements
submitted from the candidates
and ballot measure representatives
that will appear on the Seattle November ballot.
This program is a collaboration
of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission,
the Seattle Channel, and King County TV.
This will be a vote-by-mail election.
Instead of going to a polling place,
ballots will be sent to all registered voters.
Look for your ballot in the mail after October 16.
Remember to sign the envelope with your voted ballot.
Ballots can be returned via US Mail
or at one of King County's secured ballot drop boxes.
Ballots must be postmarked
or placed in a drop box by November 5.
Visit kingcounty.gov/elections
to learn about accessible voting options,
to track the progress of your ballot online,
and to find the location of secure drop boxes.
That's King County Elections
at kingcounty.gov/elections.
Thank you for joining us.
We'd like to hear from you about the Video Voters' Guide.
To comment on this guide, please call 206-684-8500
or email us at ethicsandelections@seattle.gov.