On to Clean Elections in Seattle!

[eridani]

http://www.washclean.org/voter-owned.htm

As you know, the legislature has approved our Local Option bill, and we expect Governor Gregoire to sign it into law very soon (date still pending).

Soon we are going to fight for public financing for supreme court races in Washington, but right now we need a well-designed and successful municipal model. Seattle seems ready.

Information is on a new webpage, with event details and information sheets you can download.

Seattle City Council members might create a Voter-Owned Elections program this year. If a program is designed/enacted as an ordinance by July 12th, it can be on the November ballot for voter approval.

We can do this! - but it's a very tight time frame. It is a two-stage process:

First, the City Council must design the program and enact it as an ordinance by July. WPC is working with Council members and staff, to design and decide details for the program - modeled on Portland's popular and successful Voter-Owned Elections (VOE) program.

Next, voters must approve the proposal, placed by the Council on the November ballot. This referendum requirement was an amendment added to the Local Option bill.

Here's what is happening now, and what Seattle supporters can do:

1. Briefing session with the full Seattle City Council, Monday, March 17th, beginning at 9:30 a.m., at Seattle City Hall, Council chambers, 600 4th Avenue (downtown Seattle).

This session has been arranged by Council Member Sally Clark, to brief the Council on details of a proposed Voter-Owned Elections program and how it might be enacted in Seattle. It's a briefing, not a hearing, and we'll have only 20 minutes or so. But a packed audience will demonstrate community support for Council action in the coming months.

2. Community Information Meetings, open to the public, similar to the Council briefing above, to discuss with supporters and potential coalition allies how a Voter-Owned Elections program might work in Seattle and what we must do to bring it about. Representatives of organizations are encouraged to attend - to gather information to pass along to their members.

March 25 (or 26th, t.b.a.) - 7 p.m., Seattle Central Community College. Final date & room t.b.a.
March 27 - 11:45 a.m., Portage Bay Cafe, 4140 Roosevelt Way NE (parking in rear)
(no-host lunch, order off the menu)
March 30 - 3:30 p.m., Northgate Library, 10548 5th Ave NE (east of Northgate Mall)
April 2 - 5:30 p.m., Seattle Central Community College, Broadway and E. Pike (room t.b.a.)

These events are now posted on our website and calendar! Confirm details as the date approaches.

3. Hearing, King County Council General Government Committee, March 25th, 1:30 p.m., discussing a possible program for King County. We are also discussing possible Voter-Owned Elections programs with city officials and community leaders in Spokane, and with council members of several other cities.

4. Seattle WashClean members: Tell City Council members you want public financing for city campaigns. Council members are supportive; they simply need to know the public agrees. We don't need to flood them with emails or calls right now, so we suggest - Pick ONE. Tell them you support a Voter-Owned Elections program for Seattle mayor and city council races. Contact info below.

Thank you for all you do! Together, we're making history!

- Craig
__________________________
Craig Salins, Executive Director
Washington Public Campaigns
wpc{ata] washclean.org
206-784-2522

Members of Seattle City Council:
Tim Burgess, [e-mail]
Sally J Clark, [e-mail]
Richard Conlin, [e-mail]
Jan Drago, [e-mail]
Jean Godden, [e-mail]
Bruce Harrell, [e-mail]
Nick Licata, [e-mail]
Richard J McIver, [e-mail]
Tom Rasmussen, [e-mail]