-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.