WEBVTT

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♪♪

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-It's gonna be
for most people, like,

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"Well, what's my ballot
gonna look like now?"

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-The votes have been certified,
and it's official.

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Seattle will be moving away
from a top-two primary

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and using ranked-choice voting
in future city elections.

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-Let's not
disenfranchise anyone.

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-While there are concerns about
the alternate voting system,

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it's already being used

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in more than
60 jurisdictions nationwide,

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including New York City.

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-I actually think it was
a very big success.

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-So how does
ranked-choice voting work,

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and what will it take

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to successfully implement it
in Seattle?

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-Ballot design is really
where it all starts.

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-We hear from the experts.

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-People are really tired
of the polarization.

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-We've got a lot of people
who are ready

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to start
ranking their candidates.

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-Major changes are coming
for Seattle city elections,

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so drop that ballot and join us
on "City Inside/Out."

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♪♪

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♪♪

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Welcome to this edition
of "City Inside/Out."

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I'm your host, Brian Callanan.

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With the certified results
this week, it's final --

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Seattle voters
have narrowly approved

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a new ranked-choice voting
system for city elections.

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But the discussions on how to
implement this process fairly,

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how long that will take,

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and how much it will cost
have just begun.

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This week, we're looking at
the future

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of ranked-choice voting
in Seattle

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and how that could impact
elections not just here

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but across the nation.

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After weeks, certified election
results finally confirmed

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about 51% of Seattle voters

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want to change
our city's voting system.

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-It was a little bit
of a nail-biter

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as far as whether we were
gonna see any change at all.

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-That's Heather Kelly,
board president

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of the Seattle King County
League of Women Voters,

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which supported
Seattle Proposition 1.

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The measure fell behind
on election night,

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as voters were choosing no
on Prop 1's first question

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whether to change our system
at all.

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[ Cheers and applause ]

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But now, most Prop 1 supporters

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can join
the election celebration.

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The vote swung to yes
on that first question

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and yes to ranked-choice voting

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over approval voting on
the measure's second question,

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putting to rest a contentious

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and somewhat confusing
campaign battle for voters.

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-I think the great news is that
ranked-choice voting

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is gonna feel
a lot less complicated

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compared to the question
that they had to vote on.

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-Kelly is bullish
on the benefits of RCV,

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a voting system now in more than
60 jurisdictions across the U.S.

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that allows voters
to rank their top choices,

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but she knows Seattleites
will have questions.

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-It's gonna be for most people,

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like, "Well, what's my ballot
gonna look like now?"

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-Supporters use the example of
ranking your favorite ice cream.

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If your top choice of strawberry
is the least popular

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and gets eliminated,

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your second choice of pistachio
gets counted instead

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and your vote isn't wasted.

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Through a process
of elimination,

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two flavors remain,

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and voters pick one of those two
choices in the general election,

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what Kelly sees as a huge boost
for voters

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who may be feeling left out in
a polarizing political climate.

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-I think what I really want
voters to feel is that,

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you know, it's not just that
your voice matters,

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but that there's a power
in using it.

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-Seattle's RCV system is set
to go in effect in 2027,

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which would impact an election

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for seven city-council seats
that year.

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-I know that that's what
the ballot measure calls for

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as far as the time frame,

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but I'm hopeful
we can get it done even sooner.

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-That hope will depend
on King County

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creating some new software,
new ballots,

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and a major
voter-education effort.

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-We'll be working with
King County elections

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and other organizations
that they already partner with

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to make sure that the rollout
goes really smoothly.

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-It's been quite a year,
New Yorkers.

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-How do you spell
"smooth rollout" for RCV?

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Supporters say try NYC.

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-I actually think it was
a very big success.

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-Laura Wood is the former

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chief democracy officer
of New York City,

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where voters said yes
to ranked-choice voting in 2019

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and used it for the first time

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for mayoral and city council
elections last year.

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-It was definitely
an all-hands-on-deck operation.

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-The city worked with multiple
community-based organizations

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to reach out to voters
using 20 different languages.

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-Let's lift the voices
of local communities.

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-But this effort would not
have happened, Wood says,

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without a heavily debated

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one-time city investment
of $15 million.

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-In the end,
the city was able to commit

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a really tremendous amount
of financial resources

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to the educational campaign.

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-It's not clear yet what
the cost of educating voters

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about RCV will be in Seattle,

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and that's not
the only challenge.

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-Let's not
disenfranchise anyone,

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because democracy
is too important

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to disenfranchise people.

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-RCV has skeptics, like our
newly elected Secretary of State

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and voters in San Juan
and Clark Counties,

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who rejected ranked-choice
voting measures this fall.

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-You can vote for me first
and Betsy second or...

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-Or me first and him second.

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-But RCV supporters say

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the system encourages
less negative campaigning

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and helps attract more diverse
voters and candidates,

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as evidenced by
New York's mayor, who's black,

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plus the most women
and people of color

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New York's City Council
has ever had.

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-The fears that people had
about it

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leading to, you know,
outcomes that were not as good

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for candidates of color
did not come to bear.

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-It's a lesson learned
for Seattle,

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which is waiting on King County
and the state legislature

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to consider their own
RCV measures next year.

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-Seattle is a great baby step
towards a statewide reform.

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-And the nation
is watching, too,

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as Seattle joins
dozens of other cities

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and states around the country
looking for a new way to vote.

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-Given where we are
as a democracy right now,

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it's incumbent on all of us
to be thinking about steps

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that we can take to make
our democracy more accessible.

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-And to discuss
this topic further,

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we have with us Kendall Hodson.

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She is Chief of Staff
for King County elections.

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Great to have you here.

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We also have with us
Kamau Chege.

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He is Executive Director for

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the Washington
Community Alliance.

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Kamau, good to have you, too.

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And finally, Stephanie Houghton.

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She is managing director
for FairVote Washington.

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Stephanie,
great to have you, too.

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Kamau, I'm gonna go
to you first here.

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The Washington
Community Alliance

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is made up of more than
70 organizations led by

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and working in
communities of color.

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You helped pass RCV in Seattle,

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so what impact do you think
ranked-choice voting

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is going to have
on these communities?

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-I think it's going to be great,
not just for the organizations

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that do a lot of civic work
in the city of Seattle,

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but also for voters because for
the first time in primaries,

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people won't be, you know,
nervous about talking about

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which candidate
that they're voting for

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and, you know,
feeling the awkwardness

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of interpersonal politics

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because they'll be able
to convince their friends

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of a second or third choice.

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Right now, you know,

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politics is really hard
for people to talk about.

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It's getting more polarized,
even within

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the nonpartisan elections
of the city of Seattle,

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and this change
that overwhelmingly,

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75% of Seattleites voted for

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is going to allow us
to have positive some politics

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where I can say
who I'm supporting

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and my friend
can try to convince me

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of who should be
my second choice,

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and I think that's going to be
great for everyone.

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-Thank you for that.

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Stephanie,
let me go to you next,

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because your organization
also actively supported RCV

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up through the election,
but this was a very close race.

00:07:45.801 --> 00:07:48.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
People did favor RCV
with question 1B on the ballot,

00:07:48.501 --> 00:07:50.934 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
as you mentioned there, Kamau,
but it looked like 1A,

00:07:50.934 --> 00:07:52.868 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
that main piece there
that needed to pass

00:07:52.868 --> 00:07:55.033 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
for any change
to happen to our voting system.

00:07:55.033 --> 00:07:56.534 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
it looked like it was gonna fail
election night.

00:07:56.534 --> 00:07:59.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
That eventually changed
and kind of squeaked by there.

00:07:59.133 --> 00:08:01.534 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
What message do you think
you got from Seattle voters?

00:08:01.534 --> 00:08:03.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-I think we got a couple
of messages from that,

00:08:03.667 --> 00:08:07.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
the first one being that
this was a confusing setup

00:08:07.968 --> 00:08:09.434 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
for a question, right?

00:08:09.434 --> 00:08:13.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
And I think that that in and of
itself kind of needs addressing,

00:08:13.300 --> 00:08:16.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
but the second part, too,
is that it wasn't just

00:08:16.501 --> 00:08:17.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
ranked-choice voting
on the ballot.

00:08:17.834 --> 00:08:20.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
And that alternative
that did not work out

00:08:20.834 --> 00:08:23.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
was a really scary option,
a really dangerous option,

00:08:23.501 --> 00:08:27.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and I think a couple
of the articles and endorsements

00:08:27.667 --> 00:08:30.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that came out said,
"This is really bad.

00:08:30.334 --> 00:08:32.634 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Like, 1A is really bad.

00:08:32.634 --> 00:08:35.868 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Maybe vote no so that 1A
doesn't happen,"

00:08:35.868 --> 00:08:37.634 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and I think that
that was really the message

00:08:37.634 --> 00:08:39.000 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
that we took away

00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:41.968 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
is because we've been talking
to voters for so long.

00:08:41.968 --> 00:08:45.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
FairVote Washington, WCA,
we are in the community.

00:08:45.300 --> 00:08:46.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We talk to voters all the time.

00:08:46.968 --> 00:08:49.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We know voters are ready
for change, right?

00:08:49.133 --> 00:08:52.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We know that voters
want something different.

00:08:52.300 --> 00:08:53.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
There aren't a lot of people

00:08:53.501 --> 00:08:55.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
looking at government today
and being like,

00:08:55.667 --> 00:08:57.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
"Yeah, that's great.
Everything's fine.

00:08:57.334 --> 00:08:59.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I think that no change
needs to be made."

00:08:59.133 --> 00:09:00.367 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We know that,

00:09:00.367 --> 00:09:03.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so I think when you're looking
at question one,

00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:04.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that's really the message,
was like,

00:09:04.667 --> 00:09:06.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
it's a confusing setup,

00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:08.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and 1A was really scary
to a lot of people...

00:09:08.167 --> 00:09:09.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah.
...as it should have been,

00:09:09.667 --> 00:09:12.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and that's why it kind of
ended up squeaking by.

00:09:12.334 --> 00:09:14.367 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Of course,
I'm happy with the result,

00:09:14.367 --> 00:09:17.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
but I'm even happier
with the 1A versus 1B question.

00:09:17.334 --> 00:09:20.701 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
That 1B just...
did such an excellent job.

00:09:20.701 --> 00:09:21.834 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
-Thank you for that. Alright.

00:09:21.834 --> 00:09:23.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
So, Kendall, it's gonna be
your office's job

00:09:23.834 --> 00:09:25.667 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
to implement this new system.

00:09:25.667 --> 00:09:27.467 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
First on the list,
take a very deep breath.

00:09:27.467 --> 00:09:29.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Here we go, but I just want
to know about this.

00:09:29.667 --> 00:09:32.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
How well-prepared
is King County Elections

00:09:32.167 --> 00:09:33.734 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
for ranked-choice voting
in Seattle?

00:09:33.734 --> 00:09:35.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah, it's a great question.

00:09:35.334 --> 00:09:38.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
As a rule, we don't weigh in
on ballot measures either way,

00:09:38.501 --> 00:09:40.367 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so didn't take
a position on this.

00:09:40.367 --> 00:09:42.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
But now that we have
that result,

00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:43.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
we're excited to get started

00:09:43.167 --> 00:09:45.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and figuring out
how we implement this.

00:09:45.467 --> 00:09:48.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
It is a conversation we've been
having for a number of years.

00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:50.033 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
It's been talked about
in Olympia.

00:09:50.033 --> 00:09:52.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
King County actually considered
a measure just last year

00:09:52.834 --> 00:09:53.901 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
to move to ranked-choice voting,

00:09:53.901 --> 00:09:55.968 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
so we've been
having conversations with

00:09:55.968 --> 00:09:58.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
other jurisdictions
about what it looks like.

00:09:58.501 --> 00:10:01.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
We've been talking to folks like
the Center for Civic Design

00:10:01.501 --> 00:10:03.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
about what it would look like
for us to do this.

00:10:03.501 --> 00:10:06.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
So we've been thinking about it,
but we're excited to actually

00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:08.868 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
dedicate some resources to it,
really get into the weeds now

00:10:08.868 --> 00:10:10.133 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and figure out a lot
of those answers.

00:10:10.133 --> 00:10:11.300 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-Great, and I'll get into
that resources piece

00:10:11.300 --> 00:10:12.334 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
in just a little bit.

00:10:12.334 --> 00:10:13.701 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
But, Kamau,
let me go to you here

00:10:13.701 --> 00:10:16.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
because I talked with
an official in New York City

00:10:16.167 --> 00:10:19.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
who helped successfully
implement RCV there last year.

00:10:19.167 --> 00:10:20.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
She said education
is going to be

00:10:20.334 --> 00:10:22.200 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
a key part of this for Seattle,

00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:24.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and that means getting a clear
message across to voters.

00:10:24.834 --> 00:10:27.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
And I think about this because
our newly elected

00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:30.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Secretary of State has expressed
some concerns about RCV.

00:10:30.167 --> 00:10:31.801 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
It could disenfranchise
people of color,

00:10:31.801 --> 00:10:33.601 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
potentially people
who don't speak English.

00:10:33.601 --> 00:10:35.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
How do you make sure
that doesn't happen?

00:10:35.834 --> 00:10:39.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-I think that is where
a lot of people, neighbors,

00:10:39.801 --> 00:10:42.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and civic organizations come in.

00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:46.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
For WCA, we were founded
coming out of the 2020 census,

00:10:46.501 --> 00:10:50.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
doing census outreach,
and were really successful

00:10:50.167 --> 00:10:51.968 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
in making sure
we had the resources

00:10:51.968 --> 00:10:53.968 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
in talking to community members,

00:10:53.968 --> 00:10:57.234 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
using relational organizing,
one on one conversations,

00:10:57.234 --> 00:10:58.501 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
and we were able to raise

00:10:58.501 --> 00:11:00.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
the participation rate
for Washington State

00:11:00.167 --> 00:11:03.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
from being among
the bottom 30 states in 2010

00:11:03.167 --> 00:11:07.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to having the second-highest
rate of self-response in 2020.

00:11:07.501 --> 00:11:09.634 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
And so we know
that we're capable

00:11:09.634 --> 00:11:12.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
of having conversations
with people

00:11:12.501 --> 00:11:16.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to get them to participate
in the civic life of our country

00:11:16.334 --> 00:11:18.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and in making
our democracy stronger,

00:11:18.334 --> 00:11:22.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and so if King County,
the city of Seattle,

00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:24.367 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
the state, are able to make
the resources available,

00:11:24.367 --> 00:11:28.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
we know that our community
organizations can get it done

00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.701 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and make sure
people feel comfortable

00:11:29.701 --> 00:11:32.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
ranking their choices
in future elections.

00:11:32.501 --> 00:11:34.267 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-And I promise I'm gonna get
to that resources question

00:11:34.267 --> 00:11:35.667 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
in just a little bit,

00:11:35.667 --> 00:11:37.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
but, Steph, I want to make sure
I jump in with you here

00:11:37.334 --> 00:11:38.801 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
because FairVote was working in

00:11:38.801 --> 00:11:41.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Seattle and Clark
and San Juan Counties, too,

00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:42.467 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
which had ranked-choice voting
on the ballot,

00:11:42.467 --> 00:11:44.801 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and in those counties,
RCV did <i>not</i> pass.

00:11:44.801 --> 00:11:47.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
So I'm trying to figure out
lessons learned here.

00:11:47.334 --> 00:11:50.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Messages that worked. Messages
that maybe didn't work here.

00:11:50.167 --> 00:11:52.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
How does that inform
this education effort

00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:54.434 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
that I know you're gonna be
involved in here in Seattle?

00:11:54.434 --> 00:11:56.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah. So I think, you know,

00:11:56.334 --> 00:11:58.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
San Juan County
and Clark County,

00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I think there were
a lot of lessons to be learned,

00:12:00.133 --> 00:12:03.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and one of the main messages
is breaking through, right?

00:12:03.667 --> 00:12:05.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
And saying, like,
"We have a solution here.

00:12:05.834 --> 00:12:09.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Let's talk about how we can
best implement the solution,"

00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:10.801 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and I think that Seattle
is gonna really help

00:12:10.801 --> 00:12:13.968 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
with that messaging
because we have such, like,

00:12:13.968 --> 00:12:17.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
a widespread network
of trusted messengers,

00:12:17.834 --> 00:12:20.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
people who support
ranked-choice voting,

00:12:20.667 --> 00:12:22.868 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and that once voters
start using it,

00:12:22.868 --> 00:12:24.767 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
they really love using it.

00:12:24.767 --> 00:12:27.634 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Ranked-choice voting
was on the ballot

00:12:27.634 --> 00:12:29.200 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
all over the country.

00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:32.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
It doesn't always pass
on the first round.

00:12:32.167 --> 00:12:33.868 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
It takes a lot
of voter education

00:12:33.868 --> 00:12:37.434 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
just to get people
to want to try something new.

00:12:37.434 --> 00:12:38.834 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
Change is a little scary.

00:12:38.834 --> 00:12:41.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
So we are taking that lesson
learned from Clark and San Juan.

00:12:41.834 --> 00:12:44.701 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
The other piece was it was tough
to break through down in Clark.

00:12:44.701 --> 00:12:47.367 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
There was a really exciting
congressional race happening.

00:12:47.367 --> 00:12:49.367 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-Right. Yeah.
-It was funny.

00:12:49.367 --> 00:12:51.033 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
A lot of our messaging was,

00:12:51.033 --> 00:12:52.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
"Aren't you tired
of the negativity?"

00:12:52.968 --> 00:12:54.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
And then there's --
-You had a campaign

00:12:54.167 --> 00:12:56.400 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to work with, yeah, right.
-Exactly. Exactly.

00:12:56.400 --> 00:12:58.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
But again, just breaking through
was really tough,

00:12:58.300 --> 00:13:00.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and I think we were able
to do that in Seattle

00:13:00.701 --> 00:13:04.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
because this network that Kamau
has really worked so well

00:13:04.834 --> 00:13:08.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
at putting together was able to
share that message.

00:13:08.467 --> 00:13:10.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Great. Kendall,
let's get to it here.

00:13:10.167 --> 00:13:13.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
New York City spent $15 million
on voter-education efforts.

00:13:13.701 --> 00:13:15.067 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
Will Seattle have to come up

00:13:15.067 --> 00:13:17.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
with that kind of money
to implement RCV here?

00:13:17.167 --> 00:13:18.267 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah, that's a good question.

00:13:18.267 --> 00:13:19.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I don't think we know
the answer yet.

00:13:19.667 --> 00:13:21.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We really need to put
some resources to this

00:13:21.501 --> 00:13:23.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to do the planning,
to start thinking through

00:13:23.834 --> 00:13:27.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
what we need in terms of
a timeline and a budget.

00:13:27.133 --> 00:13:30.033 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
The ballot measure gives us
to 2027 to get this done.

00:13:30.033 --> 00:13:32.033 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
We're obviously gonna move
as fast as we can,

00:13:32.033 --> 00:13:34.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
but it's really important
that we do it right.

00:13:34.667 --> 00:13:36.400 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
I think we talked a little bit
about the climate

00:13:36.400 --> 00:13:37.467 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
that we're in right now.

00:13:37.467 --> 00:13:39.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
There's also
a lot of misinformation

00:13:39.167 --> 00:13:41.300 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
about elections right now,
so we need to get this right.

00:13:41.300 --> 00:13:43.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
We need to do
lots of user testing.

00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We do lots of
working with voters,

00:13:44.701 --> 00:13:46.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
making sure all the pieces
are in place,

00:13:46.167 --> 00:13:49.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so our first conversations
are with our tabulation vendor,

00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:50.400 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
getting some of that set up,

00:13:50.400 --> 00:13:53.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and then that education piece,
that voter-outreach piece,

00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.734 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
is gonna be
absolutely essential.

00:13:54.734 --> 00:13:56.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Do we even know who to ask
at this point?

00:13:56.501 --> 00:13:57.901 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Meaning,
does it come from Seattle?

00:13:57.901 --> 00:13:59.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Does it come from King County
in terms of those dollars?

00:13:59.834 --> 00:14:01.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Or how does that --
how does that work?

00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:04.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah, it's complicated
how we allocate election costs.

00:14:04.834 --> 00:14:06.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Typically, if a jurisdiction
is doing something,

00:14:06.801 --> 00:14:08.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
we're gonna allocate
those costs to them,

00:14:08.501 --> 00:14:10.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
but we're gonna be working
really in close partnership

00:14:10.501 --> 00:14:12.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
with the city of Seattle
to put together something

00:14:12.334 --> 00:14:14.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that we can make sure
is going to work.

00:14:14.467 --> 00:14:16.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Okay, great.
Stephanie, I'll go to you here.

00:14:16.300 --> 00:14:17.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Do you have any thoughts
about costs

00:14:17.667 --> 00:14:18.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
you could anticipate for this?

00:14:18.667 --> 00:14:20.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Because I know this is that

00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:22.033 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
big question that was always
in the background here,

00:14:22.033 --> 00:14:24.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
implementing something new,
what it's gonna cost,

00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.067 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
where's that money gonna
come from?

00:14:25.067 --> 00:14:26.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Some thoughts about that.

00:14:26.501 --> 00:14:30.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah, I think we don't really
have it all worked out yet,

00:14:30.334 --> 00:14:32.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and I think we're
looking forward to working

00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:35.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
with King County
on doing that voter education,

00:14:35.667 --> 00:14:38.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
voter outreach,
because I think that to us

00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.334 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
is the most important part

00:14:39.334 --> 00:14:41.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
that everyone who wants
to rank their candidates

00:14:41.667 --> 00:14:44.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
gets to rank their candidates
and knows what that means,

00:14:44.334 --> 00:14:46.634 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
know what the outcomes
are gonna be.

00:14:46.634 --> 00:14:48.467 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
So for us, that's really
how we're thinking about it,

00:14:48.467 --> 00:14:50.467 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
as voters have said
that they want this.

00:14:50.467 --> 00:14:53.000 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
Okay, let's take the next step

00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:54.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and tell them
how it's gonna work,

00:14:54.334 --> 00:14:56.033 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
tell them, like,
all the ins and outs,

00:14:56.033 --> 00:14:57.767 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
and that part is, I think,

00:14:57.767 --> 00:15:00.200 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
gonna be working
with the community,

00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:03.634 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
gonna be working
with local government.

00:15:03.634 --> 00:15:04.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
But I can't say

00:15:04.834 --> 00:15:07.067 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that I've worked out
all of the costs, either.

00:15:07.067 --> 00:15:08.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-I know it's a work in progress,
that's for sure.

00:15:08.701 --> 00:15:10.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-It is definitely a work
in progress, for sure.

00:15:10.133 --> 00:15:11.534 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Kamau, maybe I can get
your thoughts about this,

00:15:11.534 --> 00:15:13.601 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
who should be paying to
implement ranked-choice voting,

00:15:13.601 --> 00:15:14.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
where should funding
be directed?

00:15:14.968 --> 00:15:16.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Some thoughts about that?

00:15:16.701 --> 00:15:20.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Well, I think we want to make
sure that King County Elections

00:15:20.300 --> 00:15:23.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that will be administering
the ballots

00:15:23.167 --> 00:15:27.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
have the resources they need,
but here's what we also know.

00:15:27.334 --> 00:15:29.467 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
You know, my understanding,
and I might be wrong,

00:15:29.467 --> 00:15:32.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
but King County Elections
already has the software

00:15:32.834 --> 00:15:35.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
to be able to tabulate
ranked ballots.

00:15:35.501 --> 00:15:40.133 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
We also know that jurisdictions
have had different time scales

00:15:40.133 --> 00:15:41.834 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
in terms of implementation,

00:15:41.834 --> 00:15:46.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
so while we have 2027
as a deadline for, say,

00:15:46.834 --> 00:15:48.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Seattle
and King County elections,

00:15:48.701 --> 00:15:50.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
there are places
across the country

00:15:50.334 --> 00:15:52.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that have implemented,
for example, within a year.

00:15:52.834 --> 00:15:56.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
And I think some of
the estimates that were produced

00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:59.868 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
in the city council's effort

00:15:59.868 --> 00:16:02.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to put it on the ballot,
you know, those things --

00:16:02.701 --> 00:16:04.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I just imagine if I were

00:16:04.334 --> 00:16:05.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
in the shoes of leading
King County Elections,

00:16:05.667 --> 00:16:08.534 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I'd want as many resources
and as long of a runway...

00:16:08.534 --> 00:16:10.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-That's right.
-...as possible.

00:16:10.667 --> 00:16:13.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
But that's going to be something
that, you know,

00:16:13.501 --> 00:16:16.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
different stakeholders
come up together.

00:16:16.667 --> 00:16:19.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
You know, I do want to address
just a couple of things

00:16:19.667 --> 00:16:21.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that have been floated out there

00:16:21.167 --> 00:16:22.934 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
about whether this will be
difficult for voters.

00:16:22.934 --> 00:16:24.367 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
-Okay.

00:16:24.367 --> 00:16:28.200 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-People in their everyday lives
rank choices all the time.

00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:31.367 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
It is the most intuitive way of
communicating your preference,

00:16:31.367 --> 00:16:35.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and there are people of color,
immigrants, you know,

00:16:35.334 --> 00:16:38.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
new Americans,
and non-English speakers

00:16:38.667 --> 00:16:41.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
in New York City,
in Utah, in Alaska,

00:16:41.167 --> 00:16:42.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
in jurisdictions
across the country

00:16:42.801 --> 00:16:44.367 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that used ranked ballots,

00:16:44.367 --> 00:16:47.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and they preferred
and communicate that

00:16:47.834 --> 00:16:49.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
over 90% of them
will say that --

00:16:49.334 --> 00:16:51.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-They can pick the ice-cream
flavors, yeah, I got you.

00:16:51.167 --> 00:16:53.634 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Exactly, and so can people
with disabilities.

00:16:53.634 --> 00:16:56.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
So I think it's, you know,
wrong for some to suggest

00:16:56.133 --> 00:16:59.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that this is going to make
elections difficult for people

00:16:59.667 --> 00:17:02.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
with disabilities
or for non-English speakers.

00:17:02.501 --> 00:17:03.734 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah.
-We know that's not the case

00:17:03.734 --> 00:17:04.767 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
across the country.

00:17:04.767 --> 00:17:06.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Thank you for making
that point,

00:17:06.133 --> 00:17:07.934 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and I'm gonna get to that
timeline piece in just a second.

00:17:07.934 --> 00:17:09.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
But a last question
on cost here, Kendall.

00:17:09.667 --> 00:17:11.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I heard that bit about software.

00:17:11.334 --> 00:17:12.968 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
I'm trying to figure out
what else is needed

00:17:12.968 --> 00:17:14.133 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
in terms of the physical plan.

00:17:14.133 --> 00:17:15.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Do you need
to print new ballots?

00:17:15.501 --> 00:17:18.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Is that gonna cost money
and all these different things?

00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:20.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Maybe some of those back office
kind of costs

00:17:20.334 --> 00:17:21.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
we might think about.
-Yeah, there's a lot of things

00:17:21.667 --> 00:17:22.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that we're
thinking about right now.

00:17:22.968 --> 00:17:24.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
So, ballot design is really
where it all starts,

00:17:24.968 --> 00:17:26.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
thinking through

00:17:26.167 --> 00:17:27.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
how many candidates
we're gonna be ranking,

00:17:27.501 --> 00:17:29.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
thinking through what
that ballot looks like.

00:17:29.334 --> 00:17:31.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
That's kind of
a really initial piece

00:17:31.334 --> 00:17:32.834 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
we need to be thinking about.

00:17:32.834 --> 00:17:34.501 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
We love our tabulation system.

00:17:34.501 --> 00:17:36.367 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
We will need
to make some changes,

00:17:36.367 --> 00:17:39.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
so that with it's gonna come
certification timelines

00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:41.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and things we'll need to work
with the Secretary of State

00:17:41.501 --> 00:17:44.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
to make sure that we can
get done in a timely way.

00:17:44.334 --> 00:17:46.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
There's gonna be other things,
like we're gonna

00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
probably move
to a two-page ballot.

00:17:47.667 --> 00:17:50.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
That maybe seems like
not a huge thing,

00:17:50.167 --> 00:17:53.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
but right now, our team
reconciles every single night,

00:17:53.167 --> 00:17:55.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
every single ballot
in one-to-one way

00:17:55.334 --> 00:17:57.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
with that envelope
and that ballot.

00:17:57.334 --> 00:17:59.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We'll need to think through
what that looks like

00:17:59.334 --> 00:18:03.367 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
when all of a sudden, you have
multiple pages with a ballot,

00:18:03.367 --> 00:18:05.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and we'll need to think
about results.

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:07.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
I think one thing is we have
lots of great examples

00:18:07.334 --> 00:18:09.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
of ranked-choice voting
across the country.

00:18:09.834 --> 00:18:11.968 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Voting systems really
vary a lot by state.

00:18:11.968 --> 00:18:14.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
We often only see
50% to 60% of results

00:18:14.667 --> 00:18:17.133 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
reported on election night
here in King County.

00:18:17.133 --> 00:18:19.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
So thinking through,
how are we making sure that

00:18:19.133 --> 00:18:22.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
we're reporting those results
in a way that is helpful,

00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:24.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
gets people information,
but also doesn't cause confusion

00:18:24.834 --> 00:18:26.033 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
is something
we're thinking about, too.

00:18:26.033 --> 00:18:28.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-Is it a situation
where you would limit it

00:18:28.334 --> 00:18:29.634 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
to just the top five choices?

00:18:29.634 --> 00:18:31.033 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
I've heard some talk about that.

00:18:31.033 --> 00:18:32.434 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-Is that an idea?
-Yeah.

00:18:32.434 --> 00:18:34.234 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
I mean, I think the ballot
measure says at least five

00:18:34.234 --> 00:18:35.300 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
in the ranking.

00:18:35.300 --> 00:18:36.501 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
If you look across the country,

00:18:36.501 --> 00:18:38.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
there's lots of different ways
that folks do it.

00:18:38.167 --> 00:18:40.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
I mean, we've seen, obviously,
city council races

00:18:40.501 --> 00:18:41.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
with 17, 20 folks.
-Yeah.

00:18:41.834 --> 00:18:43.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-That looks really
different on a ballot,

00:18:43.834 --> 00:18:45.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so those are the kinds of --
-Yeah, thank you, democracy.

00:18:45.501 --> 00:18:46.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Right? Those are
the kinds of questions

00:18:46.968 --> 00:18:48.234 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
we'll need to be thinking about

00:18:48.234 --> 00:18:49.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and that we'll need to work
with our vendor

00:18:49.834 --> 00:18:51.868 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to make sure that our system
can process all of those.

00:18:51.868 --> 00:18:53.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-Got it,
and just an education piece,

00:18:53.667 --> 00:18:55.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
maybe Kamau or Stephanie,
jump in on this one.

00:18:55.667 --> 00:18:58.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
In thinking about this,
you've got some voters who --

00:18:58.501 --> 00:19:01.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
well, they're all voting by
mail, right, in our state here,

00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:03.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
but they can't come to the polls
to say,

00:19:03.167 --> 00:19:04.634 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
"Oh, I have
a question about this."

00:19:04.634 --> 00:19:07.100 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
I guess that just makes
the whole education piece

00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:08.367 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
that much more important.

00:19:08.367 --> 00:19:09.901 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
I was talking with New York City
about this,

00:19:09.901 --> 00:19:12.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and I'm trying to figure out how
you work on that piece of it,

00:19:12.334 --> 00:19:14.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
making sure things are posted
in different languages

00:19:14.334 --> 00:19:15.767 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
and things of that nature here.

00:19:15.767 --> 00:19:17.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Anyone want to jump in?
-Yeah.

00:19:17.501 --> 00:19:20.367 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Well, I think for just
a high-level point

00:19:20.367 --> 00:19:22.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
for every voter to be assured,

00:19:22.334 --> 00:19:25.534 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
if you're someone who didn't
vote for ranked-choice voting,

00:19:25.534 --> 00:19:29.200 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
didn't vote to move
or change our elections,

00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:32.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
when we do have
a ranked-choice primary,

00:19:32.167 --> 00:19:34.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
things aren't going to change
for you.

00:19:34.334 --> 00:19:37.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
You can still just have your
one preference of the candidate

00:19:37.501 --> 00:19:40.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
you like as your first choice
and not rank any other choices,

00:19:40.501 --> 00:19:45.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so no one is being forced
to change how they vote.

00:19:45.133 --> 00:19:46.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
People are given the opportunity

00:19:46.834 --> 00:19:49.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to rank second
and third choices,

00:19:49.801 --> 00:19:52.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and, you know,
I've been really proud

00:19:52.501 --> 00:19:54.501 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
as just a King County resident

00:19:54.501 --> 00:19:56.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
of the way
that King County elections

00:19:56.501 --> 00:19:59.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
is able to engage with voters
on Twitter, on Instagram,

00:19:59.834 --> 00:20:02.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
online e-mail,
giving them a call.

00:20:02.667 --> 00:20:05.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
And I imagine
if people have questions,

00:20:05.167 --> 00:20:07.634 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
they'll be able to get those
readily answered.

00:20:07.634 --> 00:20:08.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Fair enough. Yeah?
-I would offer

00:20:08.834 --> 00:20:10.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
we do also have
some in-person opportunities

00:20:10.801 --> 00:20:12.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
for voting here in King County.
-That's true.

00:20:12.334 --> 00:20:15.567 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-So we'll open our six to seven
vote centers across the county,

00:20:15.567 --> 00:20:17.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and then I think language
is really important, too.

00:20:17.834 --> 00:20:20.434 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
So we provide materials
in Chinese,

00:20:20.434 --> 00:20:22.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Vietnamese, Korean,
and Spanish right now.

00:20:22.334 --> 00:20:25.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We'll be adding Somali
and Russian next year,

00:20:25.167 --> 00:20:26.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so that's also part of that

00:20:26.501 --> 00:20:28.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
ballot design
and education question

00:20:28.334 --> 00:20:30.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
is making sure we're doing
all of that work

00:20:30.167 --> 00:20:32.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
in all of the languages
that we provide ballots.

00:20:32.167 --> 00:20:34.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Do you have a point?
-Yeah, and that flexibility

00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:35.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that I think
both just touched on

00:20:35.334 --> 00:20:37.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
is, like, meet voters
where they are, right?

00:20:37.667 --> 00:20:38.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Like, this is the ballot.

00:20:38.968 --> 00:20:40.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Let's talk about it,

00:20:40.133 --> 00:20:43.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and I think it's it's online,
it's e-mail.

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:45.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We also had some
really great door knocking

00:20:45.501 --> 00:20:48.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
within neighborhoods
that was really cool

00:20:48.167 --> 00:20:49.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
because you could knock
on somebody's door

00:20:49.501 --> 00:20:50.834 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
and it was like, "Oh, yeah,

00:20:50.834 --> 00:20:52.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
I'm interested in that,
but I don't know what it is.

00:20:52.501 --> 00:20:54.167 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
Great. Let's talk about it."

00:20:54.167 --> 00:20:55.834 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
And we had, you know,

00:20:55.834 --> 00:20:59.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
these really sort of
small canvas packets

00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that were just
your neighborhood, right?

00:21:00.467 --> 00:21:01.567 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
So you just go out
in your neighborhood

00:21:01.567 --> 00:21:02.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and say, like,
"I know how this works.

00:21:02.834 --> 00:21:04.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Can I talk to my neighbors
about how this works?"

00:21:04.300 --> 00:21:06.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
It's not about like,
"I like this candidate.

00:21:06.334 --> 00:21:07.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I don't like this candidate."

00:21:07.467 --> 00:21:08.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
It's, "This is your new ballot.

00:21:08.667 --> 00:21:10.067 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Can I talk to you about it?"
-Yeah.

00:21:10.067 --> 00:21:13.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-And it is quite literally
meeting voters where they are.

00:21:13.334 --> 00:21:15.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah. Yeah. I want to get back
to this timing issue,

00:21:15.501 --> 00:21:16.868 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and, Stephanie,
let me start with you.

00:21:16.868 --> 00:21:18.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I talked with
the League of Women Voters.

00:21:18.501 --> 00:21:20.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
They were hoping to get
this RCV system in Seattle

00:21:20.834 --> 00:21:23.033 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
rolled out
<i>before</i> the deadline of 2027

00:21:23.033 --> 00:21:24.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that we saw in our ballots,
and I should point out, Kamau,

00:21:24.968 --> 00:21:27.400 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
you brought this up earlier,
but this vote in New York City,

00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:29.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
they approved RCV in 2019,

00:21:29.167 --> 00:21:31.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
had the system in place
two years later.

00:21:31.167 --> 00:21:34.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Would you like to see RCV
in place by the time

00:21:34.501 --> 00:21:36.767 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
we elect a mayor
or city attorney again in 2025?

00:21:36.767 --> 00:21:38.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
What's our timeline here?

00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:40.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-We'd like to see --
We would like to see that.

00:21:40.501 --> 00:21:43.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We also know that voters
need to be educated.

00:21:43.167 --> 00:21:45.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We are looking at
cities like New York

00:21:45.167 --> 00:21:47.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and other places that have
done it really quickly,

00:21:47.667 --> 00:21:49.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
a really quick turnaround.

00:21:49.133 --> 00:21:53.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
So we are hoping to work closely
with King County Elections,

00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:56.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
but yes, we would love to see
this implemented by 2025 --

00:21:56.300 --> 00:21:57.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
for the 2025 election.

00:21:57.801 --> 00:22:00.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-The clock's ticking here.
-Yeah. I know. I hear that.

00:22:00.801 --> 00:22:02.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I guess it's this question of
do you want to move

00:22:02.801 --> 00:22:04.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
a little more quickly with
the momentum of this election?

00:22:04.968 --> 00:22:06.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Do you need to take
more time with it?

00:22:06.133 --> 00:22:07.367 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Some thoughts on timing.

00:22:07.367 --> 00:22:08.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah, I mean, I think
we're gonna move

00:22:08.467 --> 00:22:09.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
as quickly as we can,

00:22:09.968 --> 00:22:11.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
but I think it's
really important that we not

00:22:11.501 --> 00:22:14.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
skip any steps, that we not
do our due diligence,

00:22:14.334 --> 00:22:16.000 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and to make sure that we
get it right the first time.

00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:18.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
So I mentioned earlier
this climate of misinformation.

00:22:18.334 --> 00:22:19.667 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
We need to do it really well.

00:22:19.667 --> 00:22:21.100 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah. Yeah.
Can I jump in on one point?

00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:22.901 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-Please.
-Because King County, I know,

00:22:22.901 --> 00:22:24.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
has talked about RCV
in the past,

00:22:24.501 --> 00:22:26.801 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
might even bring it up
next year in legislation.

00:22:26.801 --> 00:22:28.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
The state has been
talking about this for years.

00:22:28.834 --> 00:22:30.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
Do you have to wait
for those other pieces

00:22:30.501 --> 00:22:32.167 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
to fall into place,
or what's that about?

00:22:32.167 --> 00:22:33.667 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-It's a great question.
We don't have to wait.

00:22:33.667 --> 00:22:35.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We're not gonna wait.
We're gonna move forward.

00:22:35.167 --> 00:22:37.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
But it also means we're gonna
move forward in partnership,

00:22:37.334 --> 00:22:38.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so one thing
we're gonna be doing

00:22:38.667 --> 00:22:40.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
with the Secretary
of State's office

00:22:40.167 --> 00:22:42.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
is working through
voter intent questions.

00:22:42.667 --> 00:22:44.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
I think this is something
that maybe folks

00:22:44.834 --> 00:22:48.334 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
don't think a lot about,
but we've got an 88-page manual

00:22:48.334 --> 00:22:51.834 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
that tells us how to process
different things that voters do,

00:22:51.834 --> 00:22:54.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
like if they put little stars
next to their choices, right?

00:22:54.667 --> 00:22:56.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We have a rule
that tells us how to do that

00:22:56.334 --> 00:22:59.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so we do it consistently
across the entire state.

00:22:59.133 --> 00:23:01.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We're gonna need that same thing
for ranked-choice voting,

00:23:01.834 --> 00:23:04.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so what if somebody marks
two first choices?

00:23:04.167 --> 00:23:06.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
What if they skip
their fourth choice, right?

00:23:06.167 --> 00:23:08.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Those are all things that
we're gonna need to work through

00:23:08.334 --> 00:23:09.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
with the Secretary
of State's office

00:23:09.968 --> 00:23:11.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and hopefully
other counties, too,

00:23:11.501 --> 00:23:13.434 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so that we're setting
the entire state up

00:23:13.434 --> 00:23:15.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to do this consistently
when we go forward.

00:23:15.467 --> 00:23:17.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-I don't want to tell people
to do this on the ballot,

00:23:17.167 --> 00:23:18.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
but what does happen
when you put a little star

00:23:18.834 --> 00:23:20.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
next to your choice?
-We are a voter-intent state.

00:23:20.501 --> 00:23:22.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We're gonna count your ballot
as long as you are consistent

00:23:22.834 --> 00:23:24.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and make it clear to us
what you meant.

00:23:24.167 --> 00:23:25.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-That's -- Thank you
for breaking that down.

00:23:25.801 --> 00:23:26.901 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I did not know that.

00:23:26.901 --> 00:23:28.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Kamau, some of your thoughts
on timing.

00:23:28.334 --> 00:23:29.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
You touched on this earlier,

00:23:29.501 --> 00:23:30.934 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
but do you need to move quickly
with this?

00:23:30.934 --> 00:23:32.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Do you take more time?

00:23:32.133 --> 00:23:34.200 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
It's a bit of
a balancing act here, I guess.

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:38.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah. For us, I think moving
at the speed of trust

00:23:38.501 --> 00:23:41.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
is what we need at this point
in our democracy,

00:23:41.667 --> 00:23:45.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and our perspective is that,
you know, it should be possible

00:23:45.334 --> 00:23:50.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
for the county
to implement this by 2025.

00:23:50.501 --> 00:23:52.400 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
But regardless of when,
you know,

00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:53.667 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
it's implemented, you know,

00:23:53.667 --> 00:23:55.801 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
we know we're eventually
going to get there,

00:23:55.801 --> 00:23:59.501 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
and it's not just places
that have already implemented

00:23:59.501 --> 00:24:02.968 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
ranked-choice voting
across the country.

00:24:02.968 --> 00:24:06.367 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
For example, in Georgia,
there's a runoff happening...

00:24:06.367 --> 00:24:08.033 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
-Heard about that.
-...right now.

00:24:08.033 --> 00:24:11.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
If you're in the military
and you're overseas,

00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
you don't really have
the opportunity

00:24:12.667 --> 00:24:14.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to get a second ballot,

00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:16.901 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and so the military uses
ranked-choice voting

00:24:16.901 --> 00:24:18.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
in situations like that,

00:24:18.467 --> 00:24:21.634 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
where people rank their
first candidate, their second,

00:24:21.634 --> 00:24:25.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
so, you know, if there is a
runoff, their vote still counts.

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:27.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
And I think that's what
every voter can be reassured of,

00:24:27.834 --> 00:24:31.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
is, you know, no matter
when this is implemented,

00:24:31.334 --> 00:24:33.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
we are moving to a system

00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:35.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that is going to strengthen
our democracy and make sure

00:24:35.501 --> 00:24:39.033 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
that your vote counts
for the candidates you prefer.

00:24:39.033 --> 00:24:40.534 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Thank you for that. We need
to start wrapping up here.

00:24:40.534 --> 00:24:41.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
This has been
a great conversation.

00:24:41.801 --> 00:24:43.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Thanks very much.
Kamau, let me start with you.

00:24:43.467 --> 00:24:45.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I guess just this idea
about expectations

00:24:45.667 --> 00:24:49.267 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and hopes for RCV
as we head into the future.

00:24:49.267 --> 00:24:52.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah, I think we're at a point
in our democracy

00:24:52.300 --> 00:24:55.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
where people are really tired
of the polarization

00:24:55.667 --> 00:24:58.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and they're feeling like they
haven't been heard by government

00:24:58.701 --> 00:25:02.868 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and they want their ballots
to be able to reflect

00:25:02.868 --> 00:25:05.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
their full range of preferences,

00:25:05.501 --> 00:25:08.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and what voters delivered
in Seattle,

00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:10.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and not just by voting
to change our elections,

00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:13.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
but overwhelmingly, you know,
3/4 of Seattleites

00:25:13.667 --> 00:25:17.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
preferring ranked-choice voting
has given legislators,

00:25:17.667 --> 00:25:22.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I believe, a mandate
to consider ranked-choice voting

00:25:22.133 --> 00:25:27.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
for other elections,
like our presidential primaries

00:25:27.467 --> 00:25:32.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and for lifting what's currently
a ban on jurisdictions

00:25:32.167 --> 00:25:35.200 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
using ranked-choice voting
not just in the primary,

00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:39.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
but for the general election,
as well.

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:41.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
And we hope to see legislators
be responsive to that.

00:25:41.300 --> 00:25:42.367 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Thanks for that.

00:25:42.367 --> 00:25:43.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Stephanie,
some final thoughts here

00:25:43.667 --> 00:25:46.534 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
about your hopes for RCV
in the future here in Seattle?

00:25:46.534 --> 00:25:49.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Sure, yeah. I am looking at
this Seattle vote the same way.

00:25:49.501 --> 00:25:51.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
The legislators,
city councilors,

00:25:51.467 --> 00:25:53.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
county councilors
across the state of Washington,

00:25:53.167 --> 00:25:54.634 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I think, like,
we've got a mandate.

00:25:54.634 --> 00:25:55.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We've got a lot of people

00:25:55.834 --> 00:25:59.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
who are ready to start
ranking their candidates,

00:25:59.167 --> 00:26:01.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and we're excited
to kind of see the next steps.

00:26:01.801 --> 00:26:05.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I think we're excited about
a presidential primary

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:08.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
ranking opportunity,
and also, that this is really

00:26:08.334 --> 00:26:09.601 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
a nationwide movement.

00:26:09.601 --> 00:26:11.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Ranked-choice voting
was on the ballot

00:26:11.167 --> 00:26:14.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
in 10 places
across the country this year,

00:26:14.133 --> 00:26:15.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and that's incredible.

00:26:15.701 --> 00:26:19.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We're really talking about
a systems change

00:26:19.501 --> 00:26:21.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
with real results.

00:26:21.167 --> 00:26:22.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
If we change the way
that we do elections,

00:26:22.667 --> 00:26:24.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
we're gonna change the way
that those elected folks

00:26:24.968 --> 00:26:27.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
are having conversations
once they get there.

00:26:27.167 --> 00:26:28.434 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
It is a way for voters

00:26:28.434 --> 00:26:30.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to not have to vote
for the lesser of two evils,

00:26:30.968 --> 00:26:35.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and it's a way for candidates
who become elected officials

00:26:35.133 --> 00:26:38.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
to keep having good,
policy-driven campaigns

00:26:38.167 --> 00:26:39.200 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and conversations.

00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.367 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Thank you for that.

00:26:40.367 --> 00:26:41.534 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Kendall, you've got
a lot on your plate here.

00:26:41.534 --> 00:26:42.968 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I know
King County Elections does.

00:26:42.968 --> 00:26:45.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I guess your hopes and thoughts
about the future for RCV.

00:26:45.167 --> 00:26:46.467 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Yeah, I mean,

00:26:46.467 --> 00:26:47.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
I think the good news is
we've got an incredible team

00:26:47.834 --> 00:26:49.801 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
of professional
election administrators

00:26:49.801 --> 00:26:51.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
who are gonna be
working to do this.

00:26:51.167 --> 00:26:52.267 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
They love a challenge.

00:26:52.267 --> 00:26:53.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
They're excited to get started

00:26:53.667 --> 00:26:55.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and start to dig into
all of these questions

00:26:55.667 --> 00:26:57.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and really do it in partnership
with lots of folks.

00:26:57.834 --> 00:27:00.434 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We're gonna need community.
We need advocates.

00:27:00.434 --> 00:27:02.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We need our voters to really
help us move this forward,

00:27:02.834 --> 00:27:04.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and we're excited to do it.

00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.300 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
-Thank you all
for the input here,

00:27:05.300 --> 00:27:07.167 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
and we will be right back.

00:27:07.167 --> 00:27:10.501 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
♪♪

00:27:10.501 --> 00:27:12.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
What are people saying
on social media

00:27:12.667 --> 00:27:14.033 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
about ranked-choice voting?

00:27:14.033 --> 00:27:15.667 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
One person writes...

00:27:23.367 --> 00:27:25.334 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Another group says...

00:27:27.968 --> 00:27:30.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
We'd like to know
what you think.

00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Send us an e-mail at...

00:27:33.501 --> 00:27:37.133 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
...or find us on Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram.

00:27:37.133 --> 00:27:41.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Coming up next week, taking the
pulse of Seattle's economy.

00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:44.701 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
Downtown retailers are dreaming
of a prosperous holiday season,

00:27:44.701 --> 00:27:47.000 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
but is it truly
back to business as usual

00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:48.834 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
in the wake
of the COVID pandemic?

00:27:48.834 --> 00:27:51.300 align:middle line:87% position:50% size:90%
We check in on the next
"City Inside/Out."

00:27:51.300 --> 00:27:53.000 align:middle line:93% position:50% size:90%
I hope you join us.

00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:59.868 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
♪♪

00:27:59.868 --> 00:28:06.767 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
♪♪

00:28:06.767 --> 00:28:13.634 align:middle line:00% position:50% size:90%
♪♪