Information for Candidates

The next City of Seattle election will occur in 2024.

The Seattle City Council district Position 8 will be available for Democracy Voucher funding. $1.8 million is availble for candidates to fund their campaigns. 

Before starting a campaign, view our candidate/campaign resources page for more information. 

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Polly Grow, the Campaign Finance Auditor and Trainer and the Democracy Voucher Program for a complete training on Seattle's campaign disclosure rules and regulations.

The information below provides an overview of the qualifying process for candidates. 

Interested in participating as a Democracy Voucher candidate?

To register for the program, the participating candidate must:

  • File PDC C-3 Forms itemizing deposits of all qualifying contributions with the PDC and the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.
  • Submit the required number of qualified contributions from Seattle residents.
  • Follow all required campaign reporting requirements.
  • Sign a candidate pledge agreeing to abide by the rules of the program. 

How many qualified contributions and qualifying signatures are required for a Democracy Voucher candidate?

Participating candidates running for one of the offices below are required to collect the following number of qualifying contributions and qualifying signatures from Seattle residents:

  • Mayor - 600 qualifying contributions and signatures
  • City attorney - 400 qualifying contributions and signatures
  • City council at-large - 400 qualifying contributions and signatures 
  • City council district - 150 qualifying contributions and signatures (75 contributions and signatures must come from within the candidate's district)

Each contribution must be at least $10.

What is the process for accepting Democracy Vouchers as a candidate?

  1. Candidates and campaign representatives may collect vouchers directly from Seattle residents once the candidate pledge is signed.
  2. Campaigns will returned signed vouchers to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission for verification.
  3. Once all qualifying contributions have been verified, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission will release the funds to the candidate's campaign. Funds will be released at least twice a month.

Seattle residents may also return their vouchers directly to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission. The Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission will verify the vouchers and report to the appropriate campaign the number of Democracy Vouchers received.