Committee hears widespread public support for renewing Seattle democracy voucher levy; levy proposal outlined

Dozens of residents, advocacy groups and program officials urged the Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee on March 27 to put a renewal of Seattle’s democracy voucher program on the August 5 primary ballot.

The program’s administrators presented an updated budget proposal and usage data; council staff and the mayor’s office said the proposal would be submitted to King County by the May 2 filing deadline if the council votes to place it on the ballot.

The democracy voucher program, approved by Seattle voters in 2015 and administered by the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, provides vouchers that participating residents can assign to qualifying local candidates. Supporters who addressed the committee—representing groups that included People Powered Elections, La Uníon (as stated in testimony), the Washington Bus, the League of Women Voters of Seattle‑King County, Sightline Institute and several community coalitions—said the vouchers have broadened participation and reduced the influence of large donors.

"My name is Hannah Lindell Smith. I am the coalition coordinator for people powered elections, and I'm here speaking in strong support of adding a renewal measure for the Seattle democracy voucher program…