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-Seattle Proposition 1 -- Democracy program renewal levy.
Seattle Proposition 1,
which would replace an expiring Democracy Voucher Program levy,
if approved, is expected
to raise approximately $45 million over ten years.
Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program provides
each Seattle voter and eligible resident
with four $25 democracy vouchers each election year.
Candidates for Seattle Mayor, City Attorney,
and City Council
who agree to campaign contribution and spending limits
are eligible to redeem the Democracy vouchers.
Money from this levy would cover costs associated
with the program,
such as providing funding for campaign contributions backed
by democracy vouchers, voucher printing and mailing,
administrative staff,
public outreach and voucher processing costs.
In 2026, the first year of this propositions collection,
no more than $4.5 million would be raised.
The tax rate for this levy for each property owner
would be approximately 1.5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value.
This levy includes a property tax exemption
for senior citizens and disabled persons.
-Hi, I'm King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda.
Before I served on county council,
I ran for Seattle City Council successfully
because I'm proud to be the first
first-time candidate to run and win using Seattle's
Democracy Vouchers in my campaign.
Since 2017,
we've seen repeatedly
how this program empowers everyday people
to make our democracy more representative.
Since it launched,
small dollar donations have surged five times
from what it was before the program.
And today, campaign donors better reflect the diversity of our city
by income, race, age, and neighborhood.
Candidates can run people-powered campaigns
without relying on big donors or corporate PACs.
And at a time when our democracy is under attack nationally,
Seattle can help defend our democratic principles
by making our democracy more accessible.
For just $13 a year,
the average Seattle homeowner can help ensure every voter,
no matter their income, can support candidates
they believe in through democracy vouchers.
Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program is a proven success.
It has encouraged more women and people of color, younger folks,
renters to run for office.
It helped get big out-of-city money out of local elections,
and voter turnout is up amongst those who use democracy vouchers,
especially in communities historically left out of politics.
Public satisfaction with this program is strong.
So let's keep Seattle elections of, by, and for the people.
Please join me in voting yes on Proposition 1
to continue Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program.
-Seattle is one of the most unaffordable cities in America,
and yet our city government is forcing you
to pay a special tax just to fund political campaigns.
They call it the Democracy Voucher Program.
But in 2023,
over 95% of Seattleites didn't even use them.
Millions of your tax dollars wasted.
Since 2016,
the city has spent $6.4 million just to distribute
$9.4 million in vouchers.
That's not democracy. That's bureaucratic waste.
In the last mayoral race,
one candidate collected more vouchers than votes
and finished sixth.
His campaign spent money on personal items
like headphones and haircuts
while funneling money into his consultants' pockets.
That's not voter engagement.
That's gaming the system.
And the big money? It's still here.
In 2023,
political action committees spent
over $1 million completely overshadowing
the voucher program.
A 2017 lawsuit raised serious First Amendment concerns
with the program, and its first come, first serve nature
gives incumbents a clear advantage.
Seattle families are already being crushed
by the cost of living.
Why are they being forced to pay for a political program
that doesn't work?
If we're serious about getting big money out of politics,
let's pass real reforms like banning PAC money,
not pouring more of your money into a failing system.
It's time to end the Democracy Voucher Program
and return the money to taxpayers.