>>> WELCOME AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
TODAY IS THURSDAY, JULY 14th.
THIS IS A SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCILMEMBER.
SEATTLE CITY COUNCILMEMBER,
PLEASE COME TO ORDER.
2 03.
I AM JUAREZ.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
>> PRESENT.
COUNCILMEMBER PETERSON.
>> HERE.
MINE ARE PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU.
COLLEAGUES, AT THIS TIME, WE
WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD.
RCW 4217 OF 555 FOUR AGENDA
ITEMS ONE THROUGH FOUR.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH
TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OR OPPOSE TO
ITEMS ONE THROUGH FOUR.
MY UNDERSTANDING, FROM MADAME
CLAIRE, IS WE HAVE 23 PEOPLE
SIGNED UP REMOTELY AND TWO IN
CHAMBERS.
25 FOLKS.
TODAY, EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE
ONE MINUTE.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL LAST
NO LATER THAN 3:15.
THIS WILL ALLOW THE
COUNCILMEMBER TO A CONTACT THE
AGENDA.
THE MEETING SCHEDULED TO FOLLOW
AT 5:30.
I WILL HAND THIS OVER TO YOU TO
PRESENT THE PUBLIC COMMENT
INSTRUCTIONS.
>> ONE SECOND, PLEASE.
>> OKAY.
>> BUILT ON INDIGENOUS LAND,
THE TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE
PEOPLES.
THE SEATTLE CITY COUNCILMEMBER
ROOM WELCOMES REMOTE COMMENT.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A
SPEAKER AND PROVIDE A PUBLIC,,
YOU MAY REGISTER TWO HOURS
PRIOR TO THE MEETING VIA THE
WEBSITE.
HERE IS SOME INFORMATION ABOUT
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEEDINGS.
SPEAKERS ARE CALLED UPON IN THE
ORDER IN WHICH THEY REGISTERED
ON THE COUNCILMEMBER'S WEBSITE.
EACH SPEAKER MUST CALL IN A
FROM THE PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED
WHEN THEY REGISTERED ONLINE,
AND USE THE MEETING I.D.
AND PASSCODE THAT WAS EMAILED
UPON CONFIRMATION.
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL
CONFIRMATION, PLEASE CHECK YOUR
SPAM OR JUNK MAIL FOLDERS.
A REMINDER, THE SPEAKER MEETING
I.D.
IS DIFFERENT FROM THE GENERAL
LISTEN LINE MEETING I.D.
PROVIDED ON THE AGENDA.
ONCE A SPEAKER'S NAME IS
CALLED, THE SPEAKERS MICROPHONE
WILL BE UN-MUTED, AND AN
AUTOMATIC PROMPT WILL SAY THE
HOST WILL LIKE YOU TO UNMUTE
YOUR MICROPHONE.
THAT IS YOUR QUEUE THAT IT IS
YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.
AT THAT TIME, YOU MUST PRESS
STAR SIX.
YOU WILL HEAR A PROMPT OF, YOU
ARE MUTED.
BE SURE YOUR PHONE IS UNMUTE IT
ON YOUR END, SO YOU WILL BE
HEARD.
AS A SPEAKER, YOU SHOULD BEGIN
BY STATING YOUR NAME IN THE
ITEM YOU ARE ADDRESSING.
A CHIME WILL SOUND WHEN 10
SECONDS ARE LEFT IN YOUR
ALLOTTED TIME.
AS A GENTLE REMINDER TO WRAP UP
YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
AT THE END OF THE ALLOTTED
TIME, YOUR MICROPHONE WILL BE
MUTED, AND THE NEXT SPEAKER
REGISTERED WILL BE CALLED.
ONCE SPEAKERS HAVE COMPLETED
PROVIDING PUBLIC,, PLEASE
DISCONNECT FROM THE PUBLIC
COMMENT LINE, AND JOIN US
THROUGH THE LISTENING LINE
OPTION LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
THE COUNCILMEMBER RESERVES THE
RIGHT TO ELIMINATE PUBLIC
COMMENT, IF THE SYSTEM IS BEING
ABUSED OR THE PROCESS IMPEDES
THE COUNCILMEMBER'S ABILITY TO
CONDUCT ITS BUSINESS ON THE
HALF OF THE CITY.
ANY LANGUAGE THAT IS DISRUPTED
OR NOT FOCUSED ON AN
APPROPRIATE TOPIC AS SPECIFIED
IN COUNCILMEMBER RULES, MAY
LEAD TO THE SPEAKER BEING MUTED
BY THE PRESIDING OFFICER.
OUR HOPE IS TO PROVIDE AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR PRODUCTIVE
DISCUSSIONS THAT WILL ASSIST
OUR CONSIDERATION OF ISSUES
BEFORE THE COUNCILMEMBER.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS
NOW OPEN.
WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE FIRST
SPEAKER ON THE LIST.
PLEASE REMEMBER, PRESS STAR SIX
AFER YOU HEAR THE PROMPT OF,
YOU HAVE BEEN UN-MUTED.
THANK YOU, SEATTLE.
>> CALLED IN THE ORDER
REGISTERED, TAKING IN
CONSIDERATION SPEAKERS THAT
HAVE SIGNED UP AND SUPPORT OR
OPPOSED TO TODAY'S AGENDA
ITEMS.
THE FIRST SPEAKER.
>> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> OKAY.
MY NAME IS CODY FROM DISTRICT
4. I STRONGLY URGE THE
COUNCILMEMBER TO IMPLEMENT
RING CHOICE VOTING.
USING DOESN'T DISEASE OF THE
COUNTRY.
MEANWHILE, APPROVAL VOTING MAY
VIOLATE A PERSON'S BOAT.
RING CHOICE VOTING. CLAIMING TO
, QUOTE, LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.
PLEASE PUT RANK CHOICE VOTING
ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL, THANK
YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HEATHER
KELLY.
HEATHER, PRESS STAR SIX.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YEP, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> MY NAME IS HEATHER KELLY, I
AM A CONSTITUENT IN DISTRICT 6.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING US
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT RING
CHOICE VOTING.
WE KNOW ALTERNATIVE ELECTION
METHODS IN SEATTLE HAVE HAD A
LONG HISTORY OF SUPPORT, AND
LOTS OF ONGOING MOMENTUM.
IT MAKES SENSE TO PUT THE
OPTIONS IN FRONT OF THE VOTERS
IN ONE FELL SWOOP.
THE MEETING HAS COMMITTED TO
SUPPORT A PUBLIC EXPECTATION
CAMPAIGN.
ONCE AGAIN, PLEASE OFFER THIS
CHOICE TO THE VOTERS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DAN
EISENBERG.
>> HELLO.
I AM DAN EISENBERG.
I AM A VOTER.
I AM ALSO HERE TODAY TO URGE
THE COUNCILMEMBER TO GIVE
VOTERS A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON
THE RING CHOICE VOTING OPTION.
I THINK IT ALLOWS VOTERS TO
EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS.
A DILEMMA THAT I, AND A LOT OF
OTHER VOTERS, FIND OURSELVES IN.
INSTEAD, AGAINST OUR FEARS.
VOTING AGAINST THE WORST
CANDIDATE, BY STRATEGICALLY
VOTING FOR THE CANDIDATE WE
THINK HAS A BETTER CHANCE OF
WINNING.
RING CHOICE VOTING LETS US VOTE
OPTIMISTICALLY FOR OUR HOPES
AND CANDIDATE. PLEASE ALLOW
VOTER WILLS TO BE BETTER
EXPRESSED AND MORE OPTIMISTIC
AND LESS POLARIZING POLITICS TO
DEVELOP HERE IN SEATTLE.
SEATTLE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO
BECOME A MODEL FOR THE COUNTRY.
I REALLY HOPE THE CITY
COUNCILMEMBER WILL GIVE VOTERS
A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS IN THE
COUNCILMEMBER CHAMBERS.
SCOTT.
>> I SUPPORT RING CHOICE
VOTING.
THANK YOU TO COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS TO GIVE US THIS
OPPORTUNITY.
OUR PRIMARY ELECTIONS HAVE ONE
MAIN GOAL.
TO OFFER THE MOST MEANINGFUL
CHOICE FROM THE AVAILABLE
CANDIDATES.
TO DO THAT, TO MOST BE TRUE.
FIRST, THE TWO THAT ADVANCE
MUST EACH HAVE BROUGHT ENOUGH
SUPPORT TO HAVE A SHOT AT
EARNING THE MAJORITY OF VOTES.
SECOND, THE TWO CANDIDATES MUST
OFFER DISTINCT ENOUGH VISIONS
THAT VOTERS HAVE A MEANINGFUL
CHOICE FOR THE DIRECTION OF OUR
CITY.
RANK CHOICE VOTING IS PERFECTLY
DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE THESE
GOALS.
A PAYROLL VOTING IS NOT, AND
RUNS THE RISK THAT A POLL
LOWERED HE -- PLEASE GIVE
VOTERS THE CHANCE TO CHOOSE THE
SUPERIOR VOTING METHOD IN
NOVEMBER.
PLEASE SUPPORT RANK CHOICE
VOTING.
>> OUR NEXT REMOTE SPEAKER IS
MICHAEL.
MICHAEL, IF YOU HAVEN'T, PLEASE
PRESS STAR SIX.
>> IS HE ON THE LINE, MADAM
CLERK?
>> I HAVE HIM LISTED AS
PRESENT.
LET'S TAKE THE NEXT SPEAKER
THAT IS IN COUNCILMEMBER
CHAMBERS.
>> HELLO?
>> YES, GO AHEAD.
HELLO?
>> OKAY, PAMELA, WE WILL TAKE
YOU FIRST.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> HELLO COUNCILMEMBERS, THANK
YOU FOR SEEKING OUT FOR
ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS TO THE
VOTING SYSTEM.
I HAVE THREE POINTS TO MEET.
WITH ONE MINUTE I CAN ONLY MAKE
TWO.
MY PARENTS HAVE SENT ME TO STAY
IN THE DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY, IN
FEAR OF COMMUNISM.
AFTER DECADES OF LIVING THEIR
LEGACY, I STARTED LOOKING AT
U.S. DEMOCRACY AND WAYS TO
IMPROVE IT.
RANK CHOICE VOTING IS THE
IMPROVEMENT THAT WILL BE
APPRECIATED BY A LOT OF
IMMIGRANTS.
IT'S WELL ALLOW US TO SHOW OUR
PREFERENCES SO CANDIDATES IN
ANY POLITICAL RACE.
IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SOCIAL
NOWADAYS, DIVERSITY,
AFFORDABILITY, AND INCLUSIVITY,
THE MOVEMENT HAS LAUNCHED
GRASSROOT CAMPAIGNS FROM THE
START, WHICH INVOLVE A LOT OF
PEOPLE.
IT ACTUALLY HAS BROUGHT SUPPORT
FROM COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS IN SEATTLE CALLED
WASHINGTON FOR EQUITABLE
REPRESENTATION COALITION.
IT REALLY GIVES REGULAR PEOPLE
EQUAL WEIGHT ON THEIR VOTING.
>> REMIND EVERYBODY, IT IS ONE
MINUTE.
YOU WILL HEAR A TIMER WHEN YOU
HAVE 10 SECONDS.
MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU CALL THE
NEXT NAME?
>> IT DOES NOT APPEAR -- HE IS
IN MUTED NOW.
>> MICHAEL?
>> OKAY, WE ARE GOING TO MOVE
ON TO GRANT.
GRANT?
>> GO AHEAD, GRANTS.
>> HELLO, I AM GRANT, I'M FROM
DISTRICT ONE.
I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF
INITIATIVE 134.
ON ELECTION LIKE THE
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WHERE
RALPH NADER SPLIT VOTES FROM AL
GORE.
UNFORTUNATELY NOT ALL ACTIONS
ARE SO STRAIGHTFORWARD.
HERE IN SEATTLE IT IS REALLY
COMMON FOR A LOOK TORO FIELDS
TO HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF
CANDIDATES WITH SIGNIFICANT
IDEOLOGICAL OVERLAP.
IN THIS KIND OF ELECTION, RANCH
OR SYSTEM WILL ELIMINATE
POPULAR CANDIDATES IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE IDEOLOGICAL
SPECTRUM, BECAUSE THEY WILL
STILL SPLIT EACH OTHER'S VOTES
IN THE EARLY ROUNDS.
THE GOLD STANDARD FOR ANY
VOTING SYSTEM IS TO ASK IF THE
CANDIDATE THAT WON WOULD HAVE
BEATEN EVERY OTHER CANDIDATE IN
A HEAD-TO-HEAD ELECTION.
RING CHOICE DOES SIGNIFICANTLY
BETTER THAN OUR CURRENT SYSTEM.
I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS DENYING
THAT.
TO EXAMINE THE RESEARCH, BY
SCIENTIST, YOU WILL FIND THE
APPROVAL DOES AN EVEN BETTER
JOB.
REPLACING APPROVAL TO RUNOFF --
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH.
>> BEFORE YOU BEGIN, SARAH, LET
ME REMIND PEOPLE YOU HAVE ONE
MINUTE.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE BELL, YOU
HAVE 10 SECONDS.
WE DON'T LIKE TO CUT PEOPLE
OFF, BUT WE ARE ASKING YOU
FOLLOW THE ONE MINUTE RULE.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE CHIME, THERE
IS 10 SECONDS.
MADAM CLERK, GO AHEAD AND CALL
THEM IN.
>> SARAH.
SARAH, PRESS STAR SIX.
OKAY, WE WILL MOVE ON TO KELSEY.
>> KELSEY?
>> I BELIEVE I JUST PRESSED
APPEAR CAN YOU HEAR ME?
OKAY GREAT.
HI, I AM KELSEY, I AM CALLING
FROM DISTRICT 3, SPEAKING IN
FAVOR OF PUTTING RANK CHOICE
VOTING TO THE VOTERS.
IN MY YEARS OF WORKING AT AN
INSTITUTE THAT HAPPENS TO STUDY
VOTING SYSTEMS, AND MY CURRENT
WORK IN WASHINGTON STATE
POLITICS I KNOW THAT RANK
CHOICE VOTING IS SIMPLY THE
BEST WAY TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT
OUR DEMOCRACY.
IT'S BEEN USED FOR YEARS AND
OVER 50 JURISDICTIONS ACROSS
THE U.S. RIGHT NOW VOTERS HAVE
TO WORRY ABOUT SPLITTING THE
VOTE AND CAUSING THEIR
PREFERRED PARTY TO LOSE.
THE SAME WOULD HAPPEN IF VOTERS
GOT TO CHOOSE SEVERAL
CANDIDATES, BUT NOT MARK WHICH
IS LEAST PROVIDED. ALLOWING
VOTERS -- THESE ALLOW VOTERS A
CHOICE ON THEIR OWN VOTING
SYSTEM WHEN IT COMES IN TIME IN
NOVEMBER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
ONE MINUTE.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ZACHARY
COLLINS.
ZACHARY?
>> HI.
MY NAME IS ZACHARY COLLINS.
I AM A VOTER FROM DISTRICT 3. I
DO NOT THINK THE COUNCILMEMBER
SHOULD MESS WITH THE PROCESS.
IT IS INCREDIBLE WE ARE FINALLY
SEEING THIS COMING UP IN THE
CONVERSATION IN SEATTLE.
THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO
APPROACH IT.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SEATTLE
ENACT ANY SORT OF VOTING
REFORM.
WE DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO GAIN
FROM DOING IT THIS WAY.
THE COUNCILMEMBER PUT RANK
CHOICE VOTING ON THE BALLOT,
IT'S GOING TO POLITICIZE
VOTING HERE.
IT WOULD BE DISASTROUS TO SEE
THAT SORT OF POLITICIZATION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANOTHER
ZACHARY.
ZACHARY McCAULEY.
ZACHARY McCAULEY, PLEASE PRESS
STAR SIX, IF YOU HAVE NOT YET.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> HI, THIS IS ZACHARY
McCAULEY.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY
TO SPEAK PROGRAM IN DISTRICT 5.
I WANT VOTERS TO HAVE A CHANCE
TO CHOOSE RANKED VOTING THIS
YEAR.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME,
BECAUSE THESE DIVISIONS HAVE
SPLIT MY FAMILY APART.
RANK CHOICE VOTING CAN HELP US
FOCUS ON FIXING PROBLEMS
INSTEAD OF GETTING TRAPPED IN
BOTTLES OF US THEN VERSUS THEM.
I SUPPORT ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS.
I HOPE YOU WILL VOTE YES.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DAVID
REEVES.
DAVID X
>> DAVID?
DAVID, ARE YOU THERE?
OKAY, MADAM CLERK LET'S GO TO
THE NEXT CALLER.
WE WILL GO BACK.
>> OKAY.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ERIC
NIELSEN.
WE MIGHT NEED TO GIVE HIM A FEW
MINUTES FOR THE I.T.
PEOPLE TO GET WHO I'M GOING
NEXT SINCE WE ARE GOING IN A
DIFFERENT ORDER.
ERIC NELSON IS UP NEXT.
>> HI, MY NAME IS ERIC NIELSEN
OF DISTRICT 3. I'M HERE TO
SPEAK AGAINST THE PROPOSED BILL
. COUNCILMEMBER NELSON ACTUALLY
PUT IN HER PUBLIC STATEMENT, IT
IS UNPRECEDENTED TO USE IT TO
PUSH THROUGH FOR MORE FAVORABLE
TORO SYSTEM.
THIS WOULD BE COMPLETELY
IRRESPONSIBLE AND
DEMOCRATICALLY DANGEROUS. WHAT
SHE DID NOT MENTION IS THE TWO
OPTIONS, RANK CHOICE VOTING AND
APPROVAL VOTING ARE NOT ONE-TO-
ONE.
RANK CHOICE VOTING IS FOR --
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT.
INSTEAD, STATE WHITE ELECTRO
FORM IS IN MOTION AND IS NEEDED
TO ACTUALLY GET RANK CHOICE
VOTING APPROVED APPROPRIATELY
ACROSS THE STATE.
RUSHING THIS THROUGH WILL NOT
HELP US, AND COULD CAUSE
CONSEQUENCES.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CHRIS.
CHRIS?
>> HELLO, COUNCILMEMBER
MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR HEARING
ME.
MY NAME IS CHRIS.
I LIVE IN NORTH SEATTLE.
I SUPPORT USING RANK CHOICE
VOTING IN OUR ELECTIONS.
I LIKE THE RANK CHOICE VOTING
BECAUSE UNLIKE OUR CURRENT
SYSTEM, IT ALLOWS VOTERS TO
FULLY EXPRESS THEIR
PREFERENCES.
THIS INCREASES VOTER ENGAGEMENT
AND REACH OUT BEYOND THEIR
BASIS.
BY ADOPTING RANK CHOICE VOTING
, SEATTLE CAN JOIN THE MOVEMENT
THAT IS LEADING THE COUNTRY TO
A BETTER FUTURE.
I ASK YOU LET THE VOTERS
DECIDE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DAVID
REEVES.
DAVID?
>> HI, THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY
OPINION.
I AM INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING
INITIATIVE 134 SO THAT WE REDUCE
POLARIZATION.
I THINK IT IS URGENT WE PASS
SOMETHING, AND MAXIMIZE THE
POSSIBILITY THAT ANY ELECTION
REFORM IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION PASSES AT THIS TIME.
I LIKE APPROVAL VOTING BECAUSE
IT IS SIMPLE.
IT INCREASES VOTER ENGAGEMENT,
AND IT MOVES US FORWARD TO
REDUCING POLITICAL
POLARIZATION.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JACOB.
JACOB?
>> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
HI, MY NAME IS JACOB.
I LIVE IN L. I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT FOR OUR DEMOCRACY.
IT WILL MAKE POLITICS LESS
DIVISIVE.
PLEASE PUT RANK CHOICE VOTING
ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER,
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LOGAN
BOWERS.
LOGAN?
>> GO AHEAD, LOGAN.
LOGAN?
PUSH STAR SIX.
ARE YOU THERE?
YOU ARE MUTED NOW.
THERE YOU GO.
CORRECT?
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
MY APOLOGY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I AM ASKING TO NOT INTERFERE
WITH THE INITIATIVE PROCESS FORM
. AS OPEN PRIMARY A NATIONAL
NONPROFIT GROUP POINTED OUT IN
YOUR LETTER TO YOU THIS MORNING,
IN THIS FORM IT'S NOT THE RIGHT
WAY TO PLACE AN ALTERNATIVE ON
THE BALLOT.
THE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL IS
UNLIKE ANY RANKED SYSTEM
PROPOSED OR USED IN THE UNITED
STATES.
IT HAS NEVER BEEN SCRUTINIZED
BY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD.
IT IS LIKELY TO HAVE UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES.
ALSO, NOTABLY, YOUR ALTERNATIVE
PLAN DOES NOT TAKE INTO EFFECT
UNTIL 2027.
THE CITIZEN INITIATIVE WOULD
TAKE EFFECT AS EARLY AS 2023.
THERE IS NO NEED TO RUSH A
REFORM THAT MANY YEARS IN
ADVANCE.
THAT WOULD AFFECT YOUR OWN
ELECTIONS, WHEN YOU CAN SIMPLY
PLACE IT ON THE BALLOT AT A
LATER TIME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DIANE
DOUGLAS.
DIANE?
>> DIANE?
>> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
>> YES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
WORK COUNCILMEMBERS.
MY NAME IS DIANE DOUGLAS.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT CIMBER
SEVEN.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECT
OF RINGING RANK CHOICE VOTING
TO SEATTLE.
THE COMPELLING EVIDENCE THAT IT
YIELDS GREATER DIVERSITY IN
REPRESENTATION AND CAN MAKE
CAMPAIGNING LESS NEGATIVE, LESS
POLARIZED, WHICH IS INCREDIBLY
URGENT FOR ALL OF US.
I URGE YOU TO PUT IT ON THE
BALLOT.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOHN
MONTGOMERY.
JOHN?
>> MADAM CLERK, DID WE HAVE
JOHN EARLIER?
NO?
IT'S OKAY.
JOHN?
ARE YOU THERE?
OKAY.
>> I DO NOT SHOW THAT I CALLED
JOHN MONTGOMERY.
WE CAN MOVE ON.
NEXT SPEAKER, DIANE.
>> DIANE?
>> HELLO?
>> YES.
>> HI, I AM DIANE FROM DISTRICT
7. I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR
OF PUTTING RANK CHOICE VOTING
ON THE BALLOT.
SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE ABOUT
HOW WE DO ELECTIONS BECAUSE ALL
LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT ARE
ELECTED OFFICIALS AND FAIRLY
TRULY TO REPRESENT US.
BIASED WITH THE OFFICIALS THAT
ARE LEAST DISLIKED.
WE DESERVE A SYSTEM THAT AND UP
WITH OFFICIALS WHOSE POLICIES
ARE MOST FAVORED BY THE MOST
PEOPLE.
RANK CHOICE VOTING DOES NOT.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE
BEST VOTING SYSTEM TO TRULY
REPRESENT OUR GOVERNMENT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KATHY.
KATHY.
>> KATHLEEN?
>> ON MY SCENE, I CANNOT SEE IF
SHE'S ON MUTED.
>> I DO NOT SEE IT.
>> PARDON ME.
>> KATHLEEN?
>> OKAY.
WE WILL MOVE ON FOR NOW TO TROY
DAVIS.
TROY DAVIS, ARE YOU AVAILABLE?
>> HI, I AM TROY DAVIS AND
DISTRICT 3. I'M GOING TO READ A
PART OF A LETTER THAT A
NATIONAL PLAN FOR -- IT WAS
POSTED ON TWITTER.
OPEN PRIMARIES WROTE, VOTERS IN
SEATTLE GATHERED SIX SIGNATURES
TO APPROVAL VOTING ON THE
BALLOT.
LET THEM VOTE ON IT.
IT WILL WIN OR LOSE.
DO NOT MANIPULATE THE PROCESS.
IT CONTINUES.
OPEN PRIMARY SUPPORT RANK
CHOICE VOTING AND APPROVAL
VOTING.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT A PREFERENCE,
IT IS ABOUT THE PROCESS.
IF YOU SEND TO MEASURES TO THE
BALLOT, IN RESPONSE TO CITIZENS
PETITIONING, YOU WILL BE DOING
A GREAT DISSERVICE TO THE RANK
CHOICE VOTING MOVEMENT.
IF PEOPLE SEE RANK CHOICE
VOTING AS A TOOL USED BY
POLITICIANS TO DERAIL OTHER
VOTING REFORMS , THAT WILL
IMPACT NEGATIVELY.
THAT KIND OF POLITICAL
MANIPULATION IS BENEATH A
HIGHLY REGARDED AND PROGRESSIVE
CITY COUNCILMEMBER.
PLEASE SEND IT TO THE VOTERS AS
IS.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER.
>> THAT IS REMOTELY ON THE
PHONE?
>> HI, YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, WE CAN, GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU.
I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
WASHINGTON COMMUNITY ALLIANCE.
FOCUSED ON MULTI-RACE DEMOCRACY.
HERE TO SUPPORT ADDING RANK
CHOICE VOTING TO THE NOVEMBER
BALLOT.
A TOP PRIORITY FOR MANY
COMMUNITIES.
WE JUST HEARD TWO EXECUTIVES
COMPLAIN THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS
BEING RUSHED.
THAT IT IS UNDEMOCRATIC.
UNTESTED.
IT COULD YIELD OUTCOMES WE DO
NOT KNOW ABOUT.
WHAT WE DO KNOW IS, THEY RAISED
A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FROM
OUT-OF-STATE, TO BUY THEIR WAY
TO THE BALLOT BY HIRING
SIGNATURE GATHERERS.
WHAT SEATTLE VOTERS NEED TO
KNOW IS THAT APPROVAL VOTING
HAS NEVER BEEN TESTED, IT'S
NEVER GONE THROUGH SCRUTINY.
THAT IS WHY VOTERS NEED AN
OPTION FOR RANK CHOICE VOTING
FORM IMPROVEMENT AND TO BE
WIDELY USED.
THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ANDREW.
ANDREW?
>> WHAT NUMBER IS ANDREW?
WHAT NUMBER ARE WE ON?
>> WE ONLY HAVE TWO LEFT.
>> OKAY.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
GREAT.
AWESOME.
MY NAME IS ANDREW, I AM A
RESIDENT IN DISTRICT TWO.
I AM SUPPORTING PUTTING RANK
CHOICE VOTING ON THE BALLOT .
RANK CHOICE VOTING IS TRIED
AND TESTED AND POPULAR AMONGST
THOSE WHO USE IT.
USED IN NEW YORK CITY IN
MINNEAPOLIS.
DOWN SOUTH IN PORTLAND. POLLS
SHOW IT HAS 70% SUPPORT OF
VOTERS.
FOR THAT, I BELIEVE IT IS THE
BEST WAY FOR OUR CITY TO SELECT
OUR COUNCILMEMBERS.
I HOPE THE COUNCILS PUT RANK
CHOICE VOTING ON THE BALLOT TO
GIVE US A CHOICE HOW WE ELECT
OUR COUNSEL.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SARAH
WARD.
SARAH WARD.
>> SARAH?
SARAH, ARE YOU AVAILABLE?
>> YES, I AM HERE.
SORRY ABOUT THAT.
MY NAME IS SARAH WARD.
I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF
SEATTLE SINCE 2009.
I VOLUNTEER FOR THE INITIATIVE
134 CAMPAIGN.
SUPPORTED VOTED REFORM FOR MANY
YEARS.
I SUPPORT THAT INITIATIVE AND
PUTTING IT ON THE BALLOT FOR
NOVEMBER.
I URGE THE COUNCILMEMBER TO
PLACE IT ON THE BALLOT WITHOUT
MODIFICATION , THROUGH THE
ADDITION OF COUNSELBILL 120369.
THE RUSH ALTERNATIVE IT'S GOING
TO TAKE FOUR, FIVE, OR MORE
YEARS TO IMPLEMENT.
I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY
HERE.
IF THIS IS DONE OUTSIDE THE
INITIATIVE PROCESS, THE
COUNCILMEMBER SHOULD DO THIS
THE RIGHT WAY.
RESEARCH THE OPTIONS.
EXPLAIN THE TRADE-OFFS TO
VOTERS.
COLLECT COMMENTS AND MORE INPUT
, AND PROVIDE REAL CHOICES.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HANNAH.
HANNAH?
>> HANNAH?
>> HI.
MY NAME IS HANNAH.
I LIVE IN CAPITOL HILL, AND I
AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 3. I
AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF ADDING IT
TO THE BALLOT.
I AM EXCITED FOR THIS WELL
TRUSTED AND EFFECTIVE VOTING
SYSTEM TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR
PEOPLE TO ENGAGE OUR SYSTEM,
BOTH OF VOTERS AND CANDIDATES.
I THINK THIS WILL MAKE A SMOOTH
TOWARDS A SMALL SMART AND STRONG
DEMOCRACY.
BUT YES AND ADDED TO OUR
BALLOT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PRESIDENT,
THAT IS THE LAST SPEAKER.
I WOULD LIKE TO GO ONCE MORE
BACK TO SARAH , IT LOOKS LIKE
SHE MAY STILL BE ONLINE.
>> PLEASE DO.
LET'S GO BACK AND PICK UP
PEOPLE THAT DID NOT GET ON.
GO AHEAD.
>> THREE POSSIBLE.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER WOULD NOW BE
SARAH.
>> HI, MY NAME IS SARAH. HELLO,
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, I'M SORRY, GO AHEAD.
>> PERFECT.
THIS IS SARAH, I LIVE IN
DISTRICT SEVEN.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT USING RANK
CHOICE VOTING VOTING IN THE
ELECTIONS.
WITH OUR SYSTEM A CANDIDATE IS
GUARANTEED A SPOT EVEN IF THEY
WIN ONE THIRD OF THE VOTE WAS
ONE.
THIS ENCOURAGES CANDIDATES TO
FOCUS ON THEIR NARROW BASIS.
DOING SO ENSURES THEY MAKE IT
THROUGH THE PRIMARY.
RANK CHOICE VOTING ENCOURAGES
CANDIDATES TO BROADEN THEIR
APPEAL , AND UNLIKE APPROVAL
VOTING, VOTING CAN SUPPORT
SECOND AND THIRD CHOICES.
BECAUSE RANK CHOICE VOTING HAS
BEEN WIDELY USED FOR MANY
YEARS, THERE IS DATA USING THAT
MORE WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR
RUN AND WIN IN RANK CHOICE
VOTING.
PLEASE LET THE VOTERS DECIDE
WHAT VOTING SYSTEM TO USE.
THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK TO ME.
>> OKAY, WE HAVE TWO LEFT.
JOHN MONTGOMERY, WHICH I DON'T
SHOW HAS SPOKEN.
IS JOHN MONTGOMERY AVAILABLE?
>> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES.
>> OKAY, GREAT.
MY NAME IS JOHN MONTGOMERY.
I AM CALLING TO SUPPORT RANK
CHOICE VOTING.
I HAVE LOOKED AT THE APPROVAL
VOTING THAT SEATTLE IS PUSHING.
IT'S A SIMPLISTIC VERSION OF
APPROVAL VOTING.
THERE ARE BETTER ONES.
THE ONE THEY ARE PUSHING IS TOO
SIMPLISTIC, AND NOT AS GOOD AS
WHAT WE COULD USE.
I WOULD FAVOR RANK CHOICE
VOTING . THANKS.
>> THANK YOU, JOHN.
>> YEAH.
ALL RIGHT, THANKS.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NOW
PRESENT.
WENDY WILLIAMS.
WENDY?
>> HI, MY NAME IS WENDY
WILLIAMS.
I'M SPEAKING FOR RANK CHOICE
VOTING.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE.
RANK CHOICE VOTING IS A GOOD
CHOICE FOR SEATTLE.
EVEN IF ONLY USES THE PRIMARY,
DUE TO STATE LAW.
THIS IS WHAT APPROVAL VOTING
PEOPLE KEEP OBJECTING TO.
IF YOU COMPARE THE DEEP
GRASSROOTS WITH THE LIMITED
APPROVAL VOTING, WITH FEW RICH
PEOPLE FINANCING THE INITIATIVE.
RANK CHOICE VOTING MAKES MORE
SENSE.
MAYBE BECAUSE IT HAS A TRACK
RECORD OF BEING USED
SUCCESSFULLY IN MANY UNITS OF
HOLIDAYS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
AS WELL AS NOW IN ALASKA,
MAINE, NEW YORK CITY, IN
MINNEAPOLIS.
I URGE THE COUNCILMEMBER TO
PUT RANK CHOICE VOTING ON THE
BALLOT FOR THE VOTERS TO
DECIDE ON NOVEMBER. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OUR LAST SPEAKER SIGNED UP
IS KATHY.
IS KATHY STILL ON THE PHONE?
>> HELLO.
THANK YOU.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YEP, GO AHEAD, KATHY PARK
>> NO GOOD.
IT WORKED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MY NAME IS KATHY, I LIVE IN
DISTRICT FIVE, AND I AM THE
LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE
NORTHWEST PROGRESSIVE
INSTITUTE.
I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO PUT THE
OPTION OF RANK CHOICE VOTING ON
NOVEMBER'S BALLOTS.
THERE ARE NUMBER OF REASONS WE
SUPPORT IT, BUT CHIEF AMONG
THEM IT IS WELL TESTED AND
POPULAR WITH VOTERS.
WE HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS.
THANK YOU TO OUR RESEARCH WE
HAVE HAD A POLL OF VOTERS IN
2021 THAT SHOWED TOTAL SUPPORT
AT 66%.
OPPOSITION AT 23%.
THAT IS A 3 TO 1 MARGIN.
IT DISCOURAGES -- IT IS NOT
GOING TO SOLVE POLITICAL -- IT
WILL MOVE US IN THAT DIRECTION.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THAT WAS OUR LAST SPEAKER.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
OKAY.
>> COUNCILMEMBER PRESIDENT , WE
HAD ONE PERSON WALK INTO THE
CHAMBERS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO
TAKE ONE MORE IN PERSON PUBLIC
COMMENT.
>> GO AHEAD.
ONE MINUTE.
>> MY NAME IS MARY FOX.
I LIVE IN WEST SEATTLE.
I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF ONGOING
BURGLARIES AND IDENTITY THEFT.
IT HAS HIT EVERY INSTITUTION.
THANKS, ALL MY FINANCIAL ASSETS.
I HAVE CONTACTED THE POLICE
PROBABLY 30 TO 40 TIMES. THE
POLICE HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING
TO HELP ME.
I JUST FILED ANOTHER REPORT
YESTERDAY WITH ALL THE
DOCUMENTATION FROM THE BANKS.
THE COPS COME AND PRETEND LIKE
I AM NUTS.
SOMEONE HAS BEEN ENTERING MY
HOME AND VANDALIZING MY HOME
FOR A YEAR.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE SOME ACTION
ON THE POLICE SIDE OF THINGS,
TO HELP ME.
I HOPE THE COUNCILMEMBER WILL
PUT PRESSURE ON THE POLICE,
PLEASE.
I ALSO NEED AN ATTORNEY, IF
THEY CAN GIVE SOME HELP WITH
THAT.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
THAT IS OUR LAST SPEAKER NOW.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
THAT IS THE END OF PUBLIC
COMMENT.
AS I SHARED, WE REACHED THE
LIST OF SPEAKERS THAT HAVE
CALLED THEM REMOTELY AND THOSE
THAT HAVE SHOWED UP TODAY IN
CHAMBER.
WITH THAT, MOVING ALONG ON THE
AGENDA, WE WILL MOVE TO
PRESENTATIONS.
TODAY WE HAVE OUR PONDEROUSLY
ANALYST.
HE IS GOING TO PROVIDE AN
OVERVIEW OF INITIATIVE 134,
REGARDING APPROVAL VOTING, AND
120369 REGARDING RANK VOTING.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE
MEMO YOU PROVIDED US IN THE
HELPFUL SHEET ON HOW WE ARE
MOVING THROUGH THE CALENDAR.
I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO
YOU.
WE HAVE THE DIRECTOR HERE AS
WELL.
I WILL HAND IT OVER TO YOU
GUYS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNSEL CENTRAL STAFF.
LET ME SHARE MY PRESENTATION.
AS YOU KNOW, INITIATIVE 134
WOULD CHANGE HOW PRIMARIES FOR
ELECTED OFFICES WOULD WORK.
THE CERTIFICATE OF SUFFICIENCY
WAS FILED ON JUNE 28th.
45 DAY CLOCK FOR INITIATIVE.
BY AUGUST 9th, THE
COUNCILMEMBER MUST ACT ON THE
INITIATIVE.
AUGUST 2nd IS THE DEADLINE FOR
SENDING MEASURES TO BE PLACED
ON THIS NOVEMBER'S BALLOT.
I AM GOING TO BRIEFLY DESCRIBE
THE EFFECT OF INITIATIVE 134,
IN THE ALTERNATIVE THAT IS
PROPOSED.
AND WALK THROUGH THE ACTIONS
RESENTED THIS AFTERNOON.
THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO CONDUCT
THE TOP TWO PRIMARY FOR MAYOR,
CITY ATTORNEY, AND
COUNCILMEMBERS.
THE CURRENT SYSTEM, WHICH I
WILL CALL CHOOSE ONE.
INITIATIVE 134 WOULD SWITCH IT
TO AN APPROVAL VOTING SYSTEM.
120369, WHICH WOULD SWITCH THE
PRIMARY TO RANK CHOICE VOTING.
WE ARE ALL VERY FAMILIAR WITH
CHOOSE ONE VOTING.
VOTERS CHOOSE THE CANDIDATE
THEY WANT TO WIN.
TH TOP TWO MOVED TO THE
PRIMARY ELECTION.
IF NEITHER INITIATIVE MOVE
FORWARD AFTER THE UNIT
ELECTION, WE WOULD REMAIN WITH
THE CURRENT SYSTEM.
INITIATIVE 134 WOULD IMPLEMENT
APPROVAL VOTING.
UNDER APPROVAL VOTING, VOTER
SELECT AS MANY CANDIDATES THEY
APPROVE UP.
THE TWO WITH THE MOST VOTES
MOVE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.
THIS IS USED IN ST. LOUIS
MISSOURI AND FARGO, NORTH
DAKOTA.
THIS IS USED IN ST. LOUIS SINCE
2021.
VOTERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO VOTE
FOR AS MANY CANDIDATES AS YOU
APPROVE.
THEY HAD FOUR CANDIDATES THAT
YEAR.
ULTIMATELY, ONE OUT OF EVERY
TWO VOTERS CHOSE MORE THAN ONE
CANDIDATE IN THE ELECTION.
JONES RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM 57%
OF THE VOTERS, AND WENT ON TO
WIN WITH 52% OF THE VOTE AND
WAS ELECTED.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS HAS PROPOSED
TO PUT RANK CHOICE VOTING ON
THE BALLOT . VOTERS WOULD RANK
UP TO FIVE CANDIDATES IN THEIR
ORDER OF PREFERENCE.
THE COUNTING WOULD OCCUR IN
ROUNDS.
AFTER EACH ROUND, THE CANDIDATE
WITH THE FEWEST VOTES WOULD BE
ELIMINATED.
KING COUNTY ELECTIONS WILL LOOK
AT THE BALLOTS THAT HAD THE
ELIMINATE CANDIDATE AS THEIR
FIRST CHOICE. VOTING WOULD
CONTINUE ON ROUNDS OF COUNTING,
ELIMINATING AND REALLOCATING
UNTIL TWO REMAIN.
THOSE TWO WOULD MOVE TO THE
GENERAL ELECTION.
THE PROCESS LAID OUT IN 120369
IS SIMILAR TO THE PROCESS NEW
YORK USED FOR THEIR PRIMARIES
LAST YEAR.
THIS IS PART OF THE
INSTRUCTIONS THE BOARD OF
ELECTIONS AND CITY OF NEW YORK
PROVIDED TO VOTERS.
THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO MARK
THEIR BALLOTS IN ORDER OF
PREFERENCE.
THEY COULD RANK AS MANY OR AS
FEW CANDIDATES AS THEY LIKED.
THERE WERE 14 DEMOCRATIC
CANDIDATES IN NEW YORK CITY
LAST YEAR.
COUNTING THE BALLOTS TO OVER
EIGHT ROUNDS.
VOTES FOR THOSE VOTERS WHO
WROTE IN A CANDIDATE FOR THE
FIRST CHOICE WERE REALLOCATED
TO THEIR SECOND CHOICE.
LOOKING AT THE LAST LINE OF THE
TABLE, ISAAC WRIGHT JUNIOR WAS
THE SECOND CHOICE OF 12 OF THE
VOTERS.
YOU SEE HIS VOTE COUNT GO FROM
2242 TO 2000 254.
HE WAS ELIMINATED IN THE NEXT
ROUND BECAUSE HE HAD THE FEWEST
NUMBER OF VOTES.
AFTER EIGHT ROUNDS OF VOTING,
ERIC ADAMS BECAME THE
DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IN THE
GENERAL ELECTION.
IF THIS WERE SEATTLE'S PRIMARY,
UNDER 12 120369, BOTH MAYOR
ADAMS AND KATHERINE GARCIA
WOULD HAVE MOVED TO THE GENERAL
ELECTION.
THE CITY CHARTER PROVIDES A
LIMITED NUMBER OF OPTIONS FOR
THE CITY COUNCILMEMBER TO TAKE
ON AN INITIATIVE.
IT CAN ENACT THE INITIATIVE,
PUTTING IT INTO LAW.
IF THE COUNSEL CHOSE TO DO
THIS, IT WOULD NOT GO ON THE
BALLOT.
SECOND, IT CAN REJECT THE
INITIATIVE.
I THINK OF THIS AS NOT
NECESSARILY REJECTING THE
INITIATIVE, BUT REJECTING THE
OPPORTUNITY IT GIVES YOU TO
ENACT THE INITIATIVE.
IF THE COUNCILMEMBER REJECTS
THE INITIATIVE, IT MUST PLACE
IT ON THE BALLOT FOR THE VOTERS
TO DECIDE.
THE THIRD OPTION IS THE
COUNCILMEMBER MAY PLACE THE
INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT WITH
AN ALTERNATIVE.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS HAS
PROPOSED SUCH AN ALTERNATIVE IN
120369, WHICH IS RANK CHOICE
VOTING IN SEATTLE'S PRIMARIES.
IF THE COUNCILMEMBER WANTS TO
ENACT THE INITIATIVE THAT
WOULD FILE THE CERTIFICATE AND
ADOPT WERE NOTES AND ACTING 134.
IF THE COUNCILMEMBER WANTS TO
SEND THE INITIATIVE TO THE
BALLOT ALONE, WITHOUT AN
ALTERNATIVE, IT SHOULD FILE THE
CERTIFICATE OF SUFFICIENCY IN
CLERK FILE 314 95, AND 32057,
WHICH PLACES THE INITIATIVE ON
THE BALLOT WITHOUT AN
ALTERNATIVE.
IT CAN CHOOSE TO ADOPT A
RESOLUTION WITH SUPPORT OR
OPPOSITION AS A SEPARATE ACTION.
IF THE COUNCILMEMBER WANTS TO
PROPOSE AN ALTERNATIVE TO GO
ON THE BALLOT, IT WOULD FILE
THE CERTIFICATE OF SUFFICIENCY.
FILE 314498, WHICH INDICATES
THE COUNSEL'S INTENT TO PROPOSE
AN ALTERNATIVE. ADOPT COUNSEL
BILL 120369, ENACTING THE
ALTERNATIVE.
AND PASS VERSION 2. SUBSTITUTE
VERSION 2 WOULD PLACE BOTH
INITIATIVE 134 AND COUNSEL BILL
120369 ON THE BALLOT.
IF THE COUNCILMEMBER DECIDES TO
PLACE BOTH ON THE BALLOT, STATE
LAW DICTATES THE QUESTION THAT
WILL BE ASKED OF THE VOTERS.
FIRST, THEY WILL BE ASKED IF
EITHER INITIATIVE 134 OR THE
ALTERNATIVE SHOULD GO INTO LAW.
SECOND THEY WILL BE ASKED, IF
QUESTION ONE IS SUCCESSFUL,
WHICH OF THE TWO OPTIONS THEY
WANT TO GO INTO EFFECT.
VOTERS WOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE NO
AND STILL BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR
ONE OF THE OPTIONS UNDER NUMBER
TWO.
IF QUESTION ONE IS SUCCESSFUL,
THE OPTION THAT RECEIVES MOST
VOTES WOULD BECOME LAW SHORTLY
AFTER THE ELECTION IS CERTIFIED.
BOTH INITIATIVE 134 AND THE
BILL RECOGNIZE IT WILL TAKE
TIME TO UPDATE THE TECHNOLOGY
TO CHANGE THE ELECTIONS, AND IT
WILL REQUIRE SOME ADDITIONAL
VOTER EDUCATION.
INITIATIVE 134 WOULD GO INTO
EFFECT NO LATER THAN THE 2025
ELECTION.
COUNSEL BILL WOULD GO INTO
EFFECT NO LATER THAN THE 2027
ELECTION.
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> BEFORE WE MOVED TO
QUESTIONS, I'M GOING TO ASK MY
COLLEAGUES THAT THIS IS NOT THE
TIME TO DEBATE AND HAVE A
VIBRANT ROBUST DISCUSSION.
WE WILL DO THAT WHEN WE ADOPT
THE AGENDA AND MOVE INTO ITEM
NUMBER ONE OR TWO.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK
VERIFYING QUESTIONS FOR THE
RECORD AND FOR THE PUBLIC.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS, BASED
ON THE POWERPOINT AND
EXPLANATION OF THE APPROVAL
VOTING? THE ALTERNATIVE WHICH
IS COUNSEL BILL 120369.
OKAY.
THAT WAS EASY.
I WAS HOPING THERE WOULD BE A
FEW.
OKAY.
WITH THAT, THANK YOU. I AM
GUESSING YOU WILL BE ON STANDBY
FOR US.
>> YES.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU DIRECTOR HANDY AS
WELL.
MOVING ALONG ON OUR CALENDAR,
OUR AGENDA.
WE WILL GO TO THE ADOPTION OF
THE AGENDA.
IF THERE IS NO EJECTION, THE
AGENDA WILL BE OBJECTION. IT IS
INDEED ADOPTED.
MOVING ON TO F. ITEMS OF
BUSINESS.
ITEM NUMBER ONE, MADAME CLAIRE
CAN YOU PLEASE READ ITEM NUMBER
ONE INTO THE RECORD?
>> A JET HIM ITEM ONE.
REPORT OF THE CITY CLERK ON THE
SIGNATURE OF EFFICIENCY ON 134,
CONCERNING APPROVAL VOTING FOR
MAYOR, CITY ATTORNEY, AND
PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
>> THANK YOU.
SINCE THIS IS MY MATTER, CLERK
FILE 314495 HAS NOTICED
INITIATIVE 134 HAS SUFFICIENT
SIGNATURES TO GO ON THE BALLOT.
THE CLERK FILE IS ON THE AGENDA
TODAY FOR THE CITY
COUNCILMEMBER TO NOW DETERMINE
WHAT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IN
RESPONSE TO INITIATIVE 134.
I MOVED TO FILE CLERK FILE
314495.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED
TO THE CLERK FILE.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLE OF FILING 314495?
>> YES.
>> AYE..
>> AYE.
>> YES.
>> AYE..
NINE IN FAVOR, NINE OPPOSE.
>> THANK YOU MADAME CLERK.
THE MOTION CARRIES.
THE CLERK FILE WILL BE PLACED
ON FILE.
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER TWO.
WILL THE WORK PLEASE READ
NUMBER TWO INTO THE RECORD.
314498.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER MOTION AND
DECLARATION OF CITY
COUNCILMEMBER INTEND TO REJECT
INITIATIVE NUMBER 134, RELATING
TO VOTING IN CITY PRIMARY
ELECTIONS AND PLACING
INITIATIVE NUMBER 134 ON THE
NOVEMBER 8th, 22 BALLOT IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE RANK
CHOICE VOTING MEASURE.
A PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE MEASURE
ON THE SAME MATTER.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, I BELIEVE
YOU HAVE A MOTION.
>> I MOVED TO APPROVE AND FILE
FILE NUMBER 314498.
>> IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO APPROVE CLERK FILE
31449 A. COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS,
CAN YOU PLEASE ADDRESS THIS
ITEM?
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH
COUNCILMEMBER PRESIDENT.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.
I WANT TO SAY, AT THE FRONT,
THAT IN THIS ENTIRE
CONVERSATION, I DO NOT KNOW
THAT THERE IS NECESSARILY A
FUNDAMENTAL NEED TO CHANGE THE
NATURE OF OUR ELECTIONS IN
SEATTLE, WITH DISTRICTS IN
DEMOCRACY VOUCHERS WE HAVE
ELECTIONS WHERE PEOPLE. THE
QUESTION HAS BEEN CALLED.
WE ARE HERE, IN CITY HALL TO
DISCUSS WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE
MEASURES THAT ARE ADVANCED FOR
THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE TO DECIDE
WHETHER THE SYSTEM OF OUR
ELECTIONS IS OR IS NOT
APPROPRIATE, AND SHOULD BE
CHANGED.
THE PROPONENTS OF INITIATIVE
134 HAVE FORCED THE QUESTION.
I COMMEND THEM FOR IT.
I COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR
ORGANIZATION.
I AM NOT GOING TO USE MY
PLATFORM TO DISPARAGE THEIR
ALTERNATIVE OF APPROVAL VOTING.
I WILL MAKE COMMENTS LATER
ABOUT THE LIMITED ADOPTION OF
APPROVAL VOTING.
RATHER I AM BRINGING THIS
PROPOSAL FORWARD TODAY TO GIVE
THE VOTERS THE CHOICE TO CHOOSE
THE ELECTION REFORM THAT IS
MORE BROADLY ADOPTED ACROSS THE
UNITED STATES.
THE APPROVAL MEASURE BEFORE US
IS CONCEPTUALLY NEW AND
SPARSELY ADOPTED IN THE UNITED
STATES.
ONLY FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, AND
ST. LOUIS MISSOURI USE THE
SYSTEM.
WE WOULD BE BY FAR THE LARGEST
JURISDICTION IN THE COUNTRY TO
USE THIS COMPARATIVE WAY OF
CONDUCTING ELECTIONS.
BY CONTRAST, A COUPLE OF UNITED
STATES STATES USE RANK CHOICE
VOTING, AND IT IS MUCH MORE
BROADLY ADOPTED . AS TO THEM
MUNICIPALITIES, OAKLAND, NEW
YORK, AND SAN FRANCISCO.
MORE THAN 30 OF ALL SIZES HAVE
ADOPTED SOME FORM OF RANK
CHOICE VOTING.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO DETAIL
EXPLAINING THE MECHANICS OF
THE RANK CHOICE VOTING
PROPOSAL.
I THINK HE DID A CERVICAL
SERVICEABLE JOB OF THAT.
I WILL TALK ABOUT WHAT I FIND
APPEALING, AND A LOT OF
ADVOCATES HAVE PROFFERED AND
FOUND APPEALING OVER SEVERAL
YEARS OF ORGANIZATION TO ADOPT
THIS ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF
CONDUCTING ELECTIONS.
CANDIDATES NEED TO DEMONSTRATE
STRONG AND BROAD APPEAL TO BE
SUCCESSFUL.
POLARIZING CANDIDATES HAVE A
MORE DIFFICULT TIME OF SECURING
FIRST PLACE REFERENCE SHOWINGS,
AND FILL IN SUPPORT AS VOTES
ARE REASSIGNED IN MULTIPLE
ROUNDS OF ASSIGNING THE VOTE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE
PRINCIPLE OF ONE PERSON, ONE
VOTE, STILL APPRISE WITH RANK
CHOICE VOTING.
AT THE END OF ANY REASSIGNMENT
OF PREFERENCE, ONLY ONE FINAL
VOTE REMAINS THAT IS TALLIED,
REFLECTING THE VOTERS USE OF
THEIR FRANCHISE.
IN PRACTICAL TERMS, RANK CHOICE
VOTING GREATLY ENHANCES THE
DISCOURSE OF OUR ELECTIONS.
I'M GOING TO DIGRESS A LITTLE,
TO SUMMARIZE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS
AN ENLIGHTENING SOCIAL MEDIA
EXCHANGE A COUPLE YEARS AGO
FROM OUR COUNSEL COLLEAGUE
ACROSS THE STREET, WHO HAS
SIMILARLY DONE RANK CHOICE
VOTING.
IF YOU GO OUT KNOCKING ON DOORS
, AND YOU TALK TO ONE OF YOUR
NEIGHBORS, ESPECIALLY IN A
CROWDED PRIMARY, AND THAT
NEIGHBOR SAYS, SORRY, I AM NOT
VOTING FOR YOU, I AM VOTING FOR
ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS.
HEY ARE MY FRIEND, MY
NEIGHBOR, THAT IS ONE GOING TO
VOTE FOR IN THIS ELECTION.
UNDER OUR CURRENT MODEL OF
VOTING THAT CURRENT
CONVERSATION ENDS.
UNDER RANK CHOICE VOTING YOU
CAN STAY AT THE DOOR AND SAY ,
YOU CAN RANK ME AS A SECOND
PREFERENCE.
LET ME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
WHAT I WANT TO DO, WHAT MY
ISSUES ARE, HOW AS A MEMBER OF
THE CITY COUNCILMEMBER , OR
CITY ATTORNEY, I CAN RESPOND TO
YOUR ISSUES.
LET ME MORE IMPORTANTLY HEAR
WHAT YOUR ISSUES ARE, AND HOW I
CAN SET MY PRIORITIES TO
ADDRESS THEM.
THE CONVERSATION DOES NOT END
THE SAME WAY IT CURRENTLY ENDS
IN OUR ONE-VOTE AND IT'S OVER
PRIMARY PROCESS.
AS I ALLUDED TO JUST NOW BY
REFERENCING THE COUNCILMEMBERS
INTEREST IN THIS AND WHAT THEY
HAVE BEEN PURSUING OVER THE
LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WITH
SEVERAL COUNCILMEMBERS, IT IS
VERY LIKELY, IF I WERE TO
PREDICT AND GET OUT MY CRYSTAL
BALL THAT THEY WILL, AND
SOMETIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE,
ADOPTED SOME FORM OF RANK
CHOICE VOTING.
THERE IS SIGNIFICANT MOMENTUM
AND SUPPORT FOR A PROPOSAL LIKE
THAT.
WE GOT CLOSE TO HAVING A
MEASURE THAT WOULD BE PUT
FORWARD THIS YEAR, FROM WHAT I
CAN TELL, BUT THEY DECIDED TO
WAIT FOR ANOTHER CYCLE.
I DO WANT TO RAISE THIS AS A
POTENTIAL ISSUE.
IT IS POSSIBLE, IF APPROVAL
VOTING WERE TO BE ADOPTED,
SEATTLE WOULD HAVE A
NONCONFORMING VOTING SYSTEM TO
OUR UMBRELLA JURISDICTION. I
WANT TO RAISE THAT POSSIBILITY
OF A FUTURE WHERE APPROVAL
VOTING IS WHAT IS ADOPTED
INSTEAD.
THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY REASON
FOR THE VOTERS TO NOT DO IT,
BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE A
POTENTIAL CHOICE ON THE BALLOT
THAT HAS A STRONGER CHANCE OF
BEING ADOPTED BY THE UMBRELLA
JURISDICTION, AND IS MORE IN
LINE WITH WHAT ADVOCATES HAVE
PROPOSED AND SUPPORTED AS A
LONG-TERM ALTERNATIVE TO HOW WE
CONDUCT OUR ELECTIONS.
I ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS THAT IT
IS TOTALLY PROPER, AND A CLEAR
CHARTER POWER OF THE CITY
COUNCILMEMBER TO PUT AN
ALTERNATIVE ON THE BALLOT WHEN
AN INITIATIVE GETS THE PROPER
SIGNATURES TO QUALIFY.
THIS IS SOMETHING THE SEATTLE
CITY COUNCILMEMBER HAS DONE IN
RECENT HISTORY.
I WAS NOT ON THE COUNCILMEMBER
THE LAST TIME THOSE
DELIBERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED.
MY COLLEAGUE WAS, AND PERHAPS
SHE CAN DISCUSS THAT PROCESS.
I KNOW THAT COUNCILMEMBER AYE.
AND HOLMES WAS -- I WILL
LEAVE IT TO THEM TO DISCUSS IF
THERE IS ANY FIRSTHAND
EXPERIENCE THAT MIGHT BE
HELPFUL TO US FROM 2014.
I JUST WANT TO OFFER THAT
PROCESS, THAT INVOLVED A
PRESCHOOL MEASURE OFFERS
SIMILARITIES TO THE QUESTION WE
ARE FACED WITH TODAY.
THE EXTENT IS, OF THE
SIMILARITY, IS SOMETHING WE CAN
REASONABLY DISAGREE ON.
FUNDAMENTALLY, THE
COUNCILMEMBER FACED A SIMILAR
QUESTION IN WEIGHING THE
ALTERNATIVE.
SHOULD THE VOTERS OF THE CITY,
AND FACING A QUESTION TO
RESPOND TO A DEMONSTRATED NEED,
IN THAT CASE PRESCHOOL, IN THIS
CASE, THE METHOD WE CONDUCT OUR
ELECTIONS, HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE
OPTION THAT PROPOSES TO SOLVE
THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A
DIFFERENT METHOD.
THAT IS WHY THE COUNCILMEMBER
HAS A CLEAR CHARTER POWER TO
EXERCISE ITS AUTHORITY TO SEND
THE VOTERS AN ALTERNATIVE, IF
WE DEEM IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR
THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE IN THE
CITY.
THERE IS NOTHING UNUSUAL OR
UNTOWARD IN OUR DECISION TO
EXERCISE IT.
INDEED THERE IS STRONG AND
DEMONSTRATED PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR
THIS RANKED CHOICE VOTING
ALTERNATIVE.
WE WENT THROUGH A PUBLIC
SESSION WERE TWO TIMES THE
NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CALLED IN
SUPPORTING RANK CHOICE VOTING
HAS CALLED AND SUPPORTING THE
APPROVAL VOTING ALTERNATIVE.
THAT PROVES THIS IS AN
APPROPRIATE QUESTION FOR THE
VOTERS TO BE THE FINAL ARBITERS
OF WHETHER THIS IS SOMETHING WE
SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO.
BY ELECTING TO NOT PUT THIS
PROPOSAL ON THE BALLOT, WE ARE
IN EFFECT DEPRIVING PEOPLE OF
SEATTLE TO MAKE THE FINAL
DECISION.
I WANT TO GIVE THANKS AND ALLOW
MY COLLEAGUES OPPORTUNITIES TO
WEIGH IN. FOR THE CITY CLERK'S
QUEUING UP THIS PROCESS.
I WANT TO THINK THE CONTRA
CENTRAL STAFF ARE DOING AN
EXCELLENT JOB OF PUTTING A
PROPOSAL TOGETHER THAT IS
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RANKED
CHOICE SYSTEM THAT WE SEE IN
LOTS OF JURISDICTIONS AROUND
THE COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
I WANT TO THINK COUNSEL
PRESIDENT DURKAN AND HER STAFF
ARE BEING EXCELLENT
COLLABORATORS IN SETTING UP THE
PROCESS AND GOING FAR AND AWAY
TO BE ACCOMMODATING AND MAKING
SURE WE HAD EVERYTHING LINED UP
TO GIVE THIS DUE CONSIDERATION.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CLARITY
AND THE SKILL AND FLEXIBILITY
IN MAKING SURE WE COULD DO THAT
AND GIVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO
THE PUBLIC TO WEIGH IN IN A
COUPLE OF PUBLIC COMMENT
SECTIONS.
I WANT TO THANK MY DEPUTY FOR
THIS.
I WILL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU
TO FACILITATE THAT DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, REMIND ME
TO COME BACK TO YOU IF YOU WANT
TO CLOSE THIS OUT.
WITH THAT, THE FLOOR IS OPEN.
ALL RIGHT, COUNCILMEMBER
BAGSHAW.
>> I WAS DEFERRING TO OTHERS,
I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FIRST.
SOMEONE WHO WORKED FOR A BRIEF
TIME -- THE AIR MAKES ME
UNCOMFORTABLE.
AS THE SPONSOR ABLY DESCRIBED,
RANK CHOICE VOTING IS USED
WIDELY ACROSS THE U.S. WE CAN
TAKE THAT UP AT ANOTHER TIME.
THE NUMBER I HAVE IS 52.
IT ALLOWS FOR MORE NUANCE AND
REMOVES THE QUESTION I KNOW WE
HAVE A LOT WHEN WE ARE VOTING.
SHOULD WE VOTE OUR CONSCIENCE
OR FOR THE CANDIDATE MOST
LIKELY TO WIN?
EVEN IF IT IS NOT YOUR FIRST
CHOICE.
APPROVAL VOTING DOES NOT OFFER
THE SAME LEVEL OF NUANCE.
INSTEAD OF DRINKING CANDIDATES,
YOU ONLY VOTE FOR THOSE YOU
APPROVE OF.
BY VOTING FOR MORE THAN ONE
CANDIDATE, YOU ARE VOTING
úEQUALLY FOR EACH, EVEN IF YOU
HAVE A STRONG PREFERENCE FOR
ONE OF THE CANDIDATES.
I WANT TO QUOTE JASMINE, WHO
RECENTLY WROTE, IF SEATTLE WERE
TO ADOPT APPROVAL VOTING, IT
WOULD BE THE FIRST MAJOR CITY
WITH A MAJORITY OF WHITE
ELECTRIC TO USE THE SYSTEM.
A SCENARIO THAT RISKS GIVING
WHITE VOTERS A VOICE OF
DETERMINING ELECTIONS.
SOME HAVE SAID THAT ADDING
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS TO THE
BALLOT IS INFLUENCING THE
OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION.
COUNSEL IS NOT INTERFERING WITH
THE PROCESS.
THE INITIATIVE PROCESS
EXPLICITLY GRANTS THE
COUNCILMEMBER THE AUTHORITY TO
ADD AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE
BALLOT.
BY DESIGN, THE INITIATIVE
PROCESS IS, IF OUR CITY IS
GOING TO CONSIDER AN ALTERNATE
VOTING SYSTEM, BY INITIATIVE,
WE CAN ALLOW A VOTE ON BOTH
APPROVAL VOTING AND RANK CHOICE
VOTING.
IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO
ALLOW VOTERS TO HAVE THE
ABILITY TO CHOOSE THE VOTING
SYSTEM THEY MOST SUPPORT.
I APPRECIATE THE SPONSOR
BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I APPRECIATE, AS THE SPONSOR
SAID, COUNSEL PRESENT
PRESIDENT, YOUR FLEXIBILITY IN
ALLOWING US TO HAVE THIS
DISCUSSION.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
BAGSHAW.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM
PRESIDENT.
GIVE ME THE SIGN OF MY INTERNET
IS UNSTABLE.
I WILL BE BRIEF.
I APPRECIATE THE DIALOGUE WE
ARE HAVING TODAY.
THE DIALOGUE THAT HAS BEEN
BROUGHT FORWARD AND INITIATING
INITIATIVE 134.
I WANT TO THINK COUNCILMEMBER
MEMBER LEWIS FOR HIS WORK WITH
THE STAFF MEMBERS HE NOTED TO
PROVIDE AN OPTION FOR VOTERS.
I WANTED TO ECHO SOME OF THE
COMMENTS FROM THE SPONSOR AND
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW.
SENDING AN ALTERNATIVE FOR THE
VOTERS TO CHOOSE IS NOT
PRECEDENT-SETTING.
THIS IS AN INITIATIVE -- EXCUSE
ME, THIS IS A QUESTION TO
VOTERS ABOUT ENGAGING OUR
DEMOCRACY.
THERE'S NOTHING OR DEMOCRATIC
AS GIVING THE VOTERS A CHOICE.
I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE
SUPPORTING BOTH POLICY
APPROACHES.
FOLKS WHO SIMILARLY WANT MORE
ENGAGEMENT AND OPTIONS.
I THINK IT GOES TO SHOW THAT
THERE IS A LONG AND DEEP
STANDING INTEREST IN BROADENING
OUT OPTIONS FOR VOTERS TO CAST
THEIR VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE WHO
REALLY REPRESENTS THEM.
PROPONENTS OF EACH APPROACH
WILL THEN GET A CHANCE TO TALK
TO THE VOTERS, AND THE VOTERS
WILL GET TO WEIGH IN AND MAKE
THE DECISION.
SEATTLE HAS BEEN ON THE CUTTING
EDGE OF VOTER REFORM IN OUR
COUNTRY.
OTHER JURISDICTIONS CONTINUE TO
REACH OUT AND ASK ABOUT HOW OUR
LOCAL ELECTIONS WORK.
THEY ARE VERY EXCITED TO LEARN
MORE ABOUT THE DEMOCRACY
VOUCHER PROGRAM.
AND OUR ELECTION TRANSPARENCY
LOSS.
WE ARE ON THE NATIONAL MAP FOR
THE WAYS WE HAVE IMPROVED
VOTING AND VOTER ACCESS OVER
THE YEARS.
NOW, WITH THIS OPTION, VOTERS
WILL GET THE CHANCE TO DECIDE
ABOUT HOW WE WILL CONTINUE TO
AMEND HOW VOTERS CAN ENGAGE IN
OUR LOCAL ELECTION.
I'M GOING TO BE VOTING YES, AND
APPRECIATE THE DIALOGUE TODAY.
I KNOW THERE WILL BE MUCH MORE
DIALOGUE TO COME THROUGHOUT THE
NEXT THREE MONTHS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE.
THIS IS ABOUT INCREASING VOTER
TURNOUT AND VOTER OPTIONS.
I THINK THE CONVERSATION IS TO
COME, AND WILL CONTINUE TO
EVOLVE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
WITH BOTH OPTIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
>> THANK YOU.
I WILL BE VOTING YES TO
PUTTING RANK CHOICE VOTING ON
THE BALLOT ALONGSIDE APPROVAL
VOTING.
DEMOCRACY MEANS MORE THAN
HAVING THE OF THE LADY TUPLE
FOR CANADA.
ALL THE VOTES ARE STRUCTURED
HAVE AN IMPACT. THE REALITY IS,
THE SUPER RICH ON MOST OF THE
FORMS OF THAT DEBATE.
IN SEATTLE, THEY ONLY SEATTLE
TIMES AND TV STATIONS.
TO USE THAT MEDIA TO BLATANTLY
PROMOTE THEIR OWN INTERESTS.
THERE IS A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH
WORKING PEOPLE CAN DONATE TO AN
ELECTION CAMPAIGN, BUT THERE IS
NO LIMIT TO CORPORATE TAX USED
BY THE WEALTHY.
LAS YEAR I FACED A RECALL
ELECTION THAT STARTED LESS THAN
A YEAR AFTER I WAS RE-ELECTED.
THE SIGNATURES REQUIRED TO PUT
THE RECALL ON THE BALLOT HAD
BEEN COLLECTED BY PAID
SIGNATURE GATHERERS.
WITH ENOUGH MONEY ANYBODY CAN
BE PUT ON THE BALLOT.
IN FACT, SEATTLE APPROVES THIS
INITIATIVE TODAY WAS PUT ON THE
BALLOT FROM PAID SIGNATURE
GATHERERS.
WHEN WE CONSIDER THE STRUCTURED
ELECTIONS WE HAVE TO CONSIDER
HOW IT MIGHT WORK IN A
HYPOTHETICAL OR NEUTRAL WORLD,
WHICH WE KNOW DOES NOT EXIST,
BUT HOW BIG BUSINESS CAN USE
THE RESOURCES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THE SYSTEM IN REALITY.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS, THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
IS USED TO PRESSURE VOTERS TO
ACCEPT. AS AN EXILED --
WHO ACTUALLY REPRESENT OUR
INTEREST, WHO SUPPORT
PROGRESSIVE MEASURES, WHICH THE
OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF
WORKING PEOPLE SUPPORT.
THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN RUTHLESSLY
USED BY BIG BUSINESS AND
ESTABLISHMENTS FOR DECADES TO
CREATE PARTY AND STAMP OUT
CHALLENGES FROM PARTIES AND
THOSE LIKE BERNIE SANDERS.
>> IT HAS BEEN A GOOD STRUCTURE
GIVEN THE FUNDAMENTALLY
UNDEMOCRATIC NATURE OF
ELECTIONS UNDER CAPITALISM.
IT ALLOWS COMMENTS TOO OFTEN
WIN SUPPORT WITHOUT BEING
IMMEDIATELY DROWNED IN LESSER
ARGUMENTS.
ALLOWING A GREATER OPENING FOR
THIRD PARTIES AND INDEPENDENT
CANDIDATES AND MANY OTHER
STRUCTURES.
APPROVAL VOTING WOULD BE A
MAJOR STEP BACKWARDS.
WHILE IT IS BEING PRESENTED AS
MORE DEMOCRATIC, IT WOULD IN
FACT GIVEN UP HER HAND TO BIG
BUSINESS.
BY FILLING THE BALLOT WITH WELL-
FINANCED PLAN CANDIDATES WHO
STAND FOR NOTHING, AND
ATTACKING WORKING-CLASS
CANDIDATES, REINFORCED BY
CORPORATE MEDIA AND MONEY, THEY
WOULD BE IN A BETTER POSITION
TO CONTROL MAKES IT ON THE
BALLOT, WHERE THERE IS FAR
HIGHER VOTER TURNOUT.
APPROVAL VOTING MAKES NO
DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHO OF
VOTER REALLY WANTS TO WIN THE
ELECTION, AND WHO THEY MERELY
DO NOT ACTIVELY OPPOSE.
THE LACK OF OPPOSITION IS
STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY THE
FORCES IN SOCIETY WHO CONTROL
THE MEDIA.
BIG BUSINESS CANDIDATES RATHER
RARELY CAMPAIGN IN PUBLIC.
INSTEAD, THEY HAVE SLOGANS AND
PICTURES OF THE FAMILIES AND
PETS.
THEY HAVE FANCY ADS TALKING
ABOUT HOW THEY WANT TO ADDRESS
THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS, MAKE
SEATTLE AFFORDABLE, AND KEEP
OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.
ALL OF THIS IS THE CODED WAY TO
MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THERE WILL
BE LEO TO THE POLITICAL
ESTABLISHMENT.
THEY WOULD NOT MENTION RENT
CONTROL. CONCRETE STEPS TO
REDUCE THE DEEPENING QUALITY OF
THE ROOT OF CRIME IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOODS.
APPROVAL VOTING IS A SCHEME TO
DROWN OUT ANTIESTABLISHMENT
VOICES. IN THIS PROCESS, THE
GOAL OF BIG BUSINESS IS TO DENY
VOTERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE
ANY REAL ALTERNATIVES.
RANK CHOICE VOTING IS
SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER BECAUSE IT
GIVES THE VOTERS THE ABILITY TO
PRIORITIZE WHO THEY WANT TO WIN
THE ELECTION, RATHER THAN
LUMPING EVERYONE INTO ONE
CATEGORY.
HOWEVER, I THINK RANK CHOICE
VOTING IS STILL LESS
DEMOCRATIC.
IT BEARS SIMILARITIES TO VOTING
IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
WE HAVE FOUND THE POLITICAL
ESTABLISHMENT CAN USE THE RANK
CHOICE VOTING TO GAIN THE SYSTEM
AND PREVENT THIRD PARTIES FROM
GAINING A FOOTHOLD.
WHEN A SOCIALIST CANDIDATE ME
WIN THE ELECTION, THE
ESTABLISHMENT THROWS CANDIDATES
IN THE RACE WHO CAN GET THE
SECOND THIRD ROUND VOTES OF
MORE CONSERVATIVE VOTERS, SO
THE SOCIALISTS CANNOT COME IN
FIRST PLACE AND GET DROWNED OUT
IN LATER ROUNDS.
ESSENTIALLY THIS IS ALLOWS THE
ESTABLISHMENT TO PULL THE VOTES
FOR DEMOGRAPHICS.
THIS IS ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE
THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO RUN
SEVERAL CANDIDATES FOR THE SAME
POSITION, BUT IT CAN HAVE A BIG
IMPACT.
IN 2017, SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE
RAN IN MINNEAPOLIS, WHERE THE
MOST FIRST CHOICE VOTES, BUT
WAS EVENTUALLY KNOCKED OUT OF
THE RACE BY THE DEMOCRATIC
ESTABLISHMENT THROUGH VOTING.
WHILE RANK CHOICE VOTING IS
SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN
APPROVAL VOTING, I DO NOT
SUPPORT EITHER OF THEM.
THE REASON THE CURRENT PRIMARY
SYSTEM IS BEING CHALLENGED IS
PRECISELY BECAUSE IT HAS SEEN
SUCCESSFUL INDEPENDENT AND
THIRD-PARTY CHALLENGES, AND
VICTORIES THAT ARE DISRUPTED
THE STATUS QUO. I DO SUPPORT
PUTTING RANK CHOICE VOTING ON
THE BALLOT.
I THINK VOTERS SHOULD HAVE THE
CHOICE TO VOTE FOR RANK CHOICE
VOTING, IF THEY PREFER, NOT
JUST APPROVAL VOTING.
ELECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES
HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HEAVILY
WEIGHTED AGAINST WORKING CLASS
THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES.
SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE WORKERS
AND UNION MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY
ACTIVISTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
BRING FOUR ELECTIONS ON THE
BASIS OF FIGHTING FOR WORKING-
CLASS DEMANDS, LIKE THE $15 AN
HOUR MINIMUM WAGE, THE AMAZON
TAX, AND STANDING WORTH WORKING
PEOPLE, WITH A STRONG ENOUGH
MOVEMENT BEHIND US.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT ELECTORAL
SYSTEM IS ADOPTED, THAT WILL
CONTINUE TO BE TRUE.
WORKING-CLASS PEOPLE CAN --
BASED ON STRONG DEMANDS.
WE SHOULD NOT ACCEPT A TAX ON
DEMOCRACY LYING DOWN EITHER.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
JUAREZ.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, DO YOU
HAVE CLOSING REMARKS BEFORE I
MAKE STATEMENTS, AND THEN WE
WILL MOVE TO A VOTE?
>> IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE A
COUPLE OTHER --
>> THEY JUST SHOWED UP.
YOU GUYS HAVE TO BE QUICKER
THERE.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON, AND
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES.
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON?
>> I'M SORRY, PLEASE MOVE ON TO
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES, AND THEN
I WILL GO.
>> OKAY, ARE YOU READY
COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES?
GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
PRESIDENT DURKAN.
TO PROVIDE MORE OPTIONS TO
SEATTLE VOTERS, I WILL SUPPORT
COUNCILMEMBER FULLER'S .
INITIATIVE 134, RANK CHOICE
VOTING, AND THE CURRENT SYSTEM,
WHICH ALREADY INCLUDES MAJOR
ELECTION REFORM , SUCH AS
DEMOCRACY VOUCHERS.
EASY TO USE MAIL-IN BALLOTS.
EXTENDED VOTING.
. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS
AFTERNOON MAY BE THE ONLY
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THESE
ISSUES OFFICIALLY BEFORE THE
BECOME EXTERNAL CAMPAIGNS.
I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT A
SKEPTICAL VIEW TO ALL OF THIS.
THIS IS ABOUT ELECTIONS FOR
NONPARTISAN OFFICES IN CITY
GOVERNMENT.
THE TOP LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CONCERNS OF PEOPLE IN SEATTLE
ARE INCREASING TO PUBLIC SAFETY
AND DECREASING HOMELESSNESS.
IF EITHER OF THESE TWO MEASURES
ARE ARE ENACTED TO LAW, WILL
THEY INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY OR
REDUCE HOMELESSNESS?
I AM NOT SO SURE.
I'M AFRAID THAT NO MATTER HOW
MUCH WE TINKER WITH THE LOCAL
ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN SEATTLE,
WHICH ART INCLUDES ROBUST
REFORMS, THERE IS NO EASY FIX
TO GUARANTEE THAT WILL GENERATE
MORE CANDIDATES FOR CITY
GOVERNMENT, WHO ARE QUALIFIED
FOR CITY GOVERNMENT.
WHO ADEQUATELY APPRECIATE WHAT
THE CITY GOVERNMENT DOES.
HE WILL BE RESPONSIVE AND -- I
DO NOT THINK EITHER OPTION WILL
SOLVE THE PROBLEMS FACING
SEATTLE TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
HOLMES.
WITH THAT, COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON.
>> YOU VERY MUCH.
TODAY I'M NOT GOING TO STAND
FOR OR AGAINST APPROVAL VOTING
OR RANK CHOICE VOTING.
I'M TAKING A STAND FOR GOOD
GOVERNMENTS.
FOR THE BLUING VIEWING PUBLIC.
INITIATIVE 134, WHICH WOULD
REPLACE IT WITH THE NEW SYSTEM
CALLED APPROVAL VOTING.
INITIATIVE 134 GATHERED THE
REQUIRED SIGNATURES TO QUALIFY
FOR THE VOTES.
IT IS STANDARD PRACTICE FOR
COUNSEL TO JUST SEND THAT
MEASURE TO THE BALLOT.
IN RANK CHOICE VOTING , IT HAS
NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE BALLOT.
IN STUDYING A RUNNING AND
INITIATIVE ADVOCATES OFFER TO
PERSUADE US TO ADVANCE THEIR
PROPOSAL AS SENDING IT TO THE
VOTERS AS OUR PREFERRED
ALTERNATIVE, WHICH WE HAVE ONLY
DONE TWICE IN THE PAST 20
YEARS.
HERE WE ARE.
BEFORE DOING THAT, WE SHOULD
FIRST IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM WE
ARE TRYING TO FIX WITH OUR
EXISTING SYSTEM.
TRANSPARENTLY DELIBERATE ON
POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. CONSULT
EXPERTS AND CONDUCT EXTENSIVE
OUTREACH, JUST AS WE WOULD ON
ANY OTHER OR AN ISSUE.
WE HAVE NOT, BUT THIS IS OUR
FIRST MEETING.
OUR FIRST PUBLIC MEETING ON THE
MATTER.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS BROUGHT UP,
THE LAST TIME WE SENT AN
ALTERNATIVE TO THE BALLOT --
YES WE DO HAVE THAT AUTHORITY
-- IN THAT CASE, COUNCILMEMBER
BURGESS HAD DEVELOPING HIS
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR MONTHS.
THAT IS NOT THE SAME. I DON'T
THINK THE SITUATIONS ARE EQUAL
HERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF APPROVAL VOTING
IS BETTER OR WORSE THAN RANK
CHOICE VOTING, OR EVEN WHAT IS
WRONG WITH OUR CURRENT SYSTEM.
I DO KNOW WE ARE ABOUT TO TAKE
FIVE VOTES TO SEND AN
ALTERNATIVE TO THE BALLOT, THAT
COULD INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF
THE ELECTION, WITHOUT A LOT OF
PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON OUR
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE. I THINK
THERE IS A BETTER WAY OF COMING
TO THESE KINDS OF DECISIONS.
I THINK THE COUNCILMEMBER
SHOULD GET OUT OF THE WAY ,
SEND INITIATIVE 134 TO THE
BALLOT, AND LET THE VOTERS
DECIDE IN NOVEMBER.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
NELSON.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, DO YOU
WANT TO MAKE ANY STATEMENTS
BEFORE I SAY A FEW, AND THEN WE
GO TO THE BOAT?
>> YES, THANK YOU MADAM
PRESIDENT.
I WILL BE VERY BRIEF.
I THINK THERE MIGHT BE A FEW
THINGS I COULD SAY TO RESPOND
TO THE CONCERNED RAISED BY
COUNCILMEMBER NELSON.
I COMPLETELY RESPECT BUT
DISAGREE WITH THEM.
I THINK IT IS PERFECTLY WITHIN
THE RIGHT OF THE COUNCILMEMBER,
WHEN FACING A QUESTION LIKE
THIS, TO HAVE THE PEOPLE OF
THE CITY BE THE FINAL DECIDERS.
WE DO HAVE A VERY STRONG AND
REPRESENTATIVE MOVEMENT IN THE
CITY, TOWARDS RANK CHOICE
VOTING.
THIS IS AN ELECTION OPTION,
LIKE I SAID EARLIER, THAT HAS
BEEN HAVING THE BENEFIT OF AN
EXTENSIVE PARALLEL PROCESS. IT
DID INFORM THE PROCESS WE ARE
PROPOSING TO SEND TO THE
VOTERS.
A LOT OF THE POTENTIAL ISSUES
WITH ADMINISTERING THE CHANGE
IN TYPE CAN BE ACCOMMODATED
WITH THE TIMELINE WE HAVE
ASSIGNED.
THE RING CHOICE VOTING UNDER
THIS MEASURE, I DON'T KNOW IF
IT WAS MADE CLEAR IN THE
PRESENTATION, IF PASSED BY
VOTERS WOULD NOT GO INTO EFFECT
UNTIL 2027.
PART OF THAT IS TO GIVE KING
COUNTY THE SPACE AND TIME AND
IMPLEMENTATION THAT GOES INTO
ANY KIND OF SIGNIFICANT MAJOR
CHANGE.
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY WHO
REACHED OUT AND ADVOCATED FOR A
MODEL LIKE THIS, I THINK IT
SHOWS THE BEST WAY FORWARD IS
TO LET THEM MAKE THE FINAL
DECISION.
AS I SAID IN MY COMMENTS
EARLIER, I THINK THIS
DISCUSSION HAS GOTTEN TO A
POINT WHERE WE RUN THE RISK OF
MAKING A MORE UNDAMAGED
UNDEMOCRATIC DECISION BASED ON
THE MOVEMENT THAT HAS TURNED
OUT FOR THIS.
IN ESSENCE, THERE WILL BE A
PROXY VOTE, WHERE VOTING NO ON
APPROVAL VOTING IS GOING TO BE
REFLECTING A YES VOTE FOR RANK
CHOICE VOTING ANYWAY.
IN TERMS OF HOW THE QUESTION
HAS BEEN FRAMED IN THE MINDS OF
MANY VOTERS IN THE CITY.
FOR THOSE PURPOSES, AND THE
REASON I STATED IN MY OPENING
STATEMENT, I THINK THIS IS AN
APPROPRIATE ACTION FOR THE
COUNCILMEMBER TO TAKE.
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY ARE
GOING TO MAKE THE FINAL
DECISION, AS THEY RIGHTLY
SHOULD, ON WHETHER WE SHOULD
ADOPT THIS.
THIS GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY
TO DO SO.
TWO THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
I'M GOING TO MAKE A FEW
COMMENTS AND THEN WE WILL GO TO
A VOTE.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, YOU RAISED
A GOOD POINT.
I ACTUALLY HAD THOUGHT ABOUT
SHARING THIS AS WELL.
US GOING TO A DISTRICT SYSTEM,
SEVEN DISTRICTS, AND AS HAVING
DEMOCRACY VOUCHERS HAS EXPANDED
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY PEOPLE
TO RUN THAT WOULD OTHERWISE NOT
RUN.
I THINK COUNCILMEMBER HOLMES
MENTIONED ABOUT MAIL-IN
BALLOTS.
I DO NOT THINK THAT EITHER
APPROVAL VOTING OR RANK CHOICE
VOTING IS GOING TO FIX SOME OF
THE ISSUES THAT COUNCILMEMBER
HOLMES BROUGHT UP.
I WILL SAY, MAYBE TURNING IN ON
OURSELVES.
I'M ALWAYS A LITTLE SUSPICIOUS
WHEN PEOPLE USE COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR AS A REASON TO PASS ANY
TYPE OF INITIATIVE BILL OR
PROPOSAL.
I DO NOT THINK WE CAN LOOK AWAY
FROM THE FACT THAT SIX OF OUR
NINE COUNCILMEMBERS WERE EITHER
LEGISLATIVE AIDES, OR WORKED IN
THAT COUNSEL IN SOME WAY, OR
WERE MENTORED BY A
COUNCILMEMBER.
I AM NOT TAKING ANYTHING AWAY
FROM MY COLLEAGUES WITH THAT
DESCRIPTION.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT OUR
CHOICES.
MY MAIN CONCERN IS INCREASING
CANADA PARTICIPATION.
EATING MORE CANDIDATES THAT HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM
SUCH A PIPELINE.
THAT IS JUST MY OBSERVATION.
AGAIN, I DO NOT MEAN TO CAST
ANY ASPERSIONS AGAINST MY
COLLEAGUES.
THAT IS INDEED A FACT.
THAT BEING SAID, I THINK WE
SHOULD JUST GO FORWARD AT THIS
POINT, MADAM CLERK, AND WE WILL
CALL THE WALL ON THE APPROVAL
AND FILING OF THE CLERK FILE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER WAS FOR?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HARRELL?
>> BAGSHAW AYE..
>> AYE..
>> COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER MOSQUEDA .
>> YES.
>> NO.
EIGHT IN FAVORED, TWO OPPOSED.
>> THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, COLLEAGUES -- SORRY.
>> SORRY MADAM PRESIDENT, I
THOUGHT I HEARD EIGHT IN FAVOR,
TWO OPPOSED.
SEVEN IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSED, IS
THAT CORRECT?
>> YES, SORRY.
>> I DID NOT CATCH THE MATH,
EITHER.
IT IS 7-2. PASSES, CORRECT?
>> YES, IT DOES.
>> OKAY, THE CLERK FILE IS
APPROVED AND FILED.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE MOTION AND
DECLARATION TO THE CITY
COUNCILMEMBER INTENT . WITH
THAT, SINCE THIS CLERK FILE HAS
PASSED, WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM
NUMBER THREE, WHICH IS ALSO
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
NUMBER THREE INTO THE RECORD.
ORDINANCE RELATING TO RANK
CHOICE VOTING, REQUESTING THAT
A SPECIAL ELECTION BE HELD ON
NOVEMBER 8th, 2022.
CITY OF SEATTLE -- TO INSTITUTE
RANK CHOICE VOTING FOR PRIMARY
ELECTIONS FOR CITY OF SEATTLE,
ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 2.18 TO
THE SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE.
PROPOSING A BALLOT TITLE, AND
RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING
CERTAIN PRIOR ACTS.
FEMA COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, I
BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MOTION FOR
US.
>> THANK YOU, I MOVED TO APPROVE
120369.
>> SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED IN SECOND.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, THIS IS
INDEED YOURS.
YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO ADDRESS
THE BILL.
>> THANK YOU.
I WILL REST ON MY PREVIOUS
COMMENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS
DISCUSSION.
>> I THINK YOU ALSO HAVE A
MOTION FOR ME.
TO AMEND?
>> YES.
I DO HAVE A MOTION TO AMEND.
SORRY I'M GOING DOWN MY NOTES
HERE.
TO AMEND 120369 AS ON THE
AGENDA.
>> SORRY, I SHOULD'VE CAUGHT
THAT AND GIVEN YOU A HEADS UP.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO -- COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS, YOU ARE THE SPONSOR AND
RECOGNIZE.
>> THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT.
THIS AMENDMENT ADDS A COUPLE OF
TECHNICAL CHANGES.
HE CAN ANSWER IF COLLEAGUES
HAVE ANY FEEDBACK ON IT.
IT DOESN'T REALLY CHANGE THE
SUBSTANTIVE BACKGROUND OF THE
PROCESS WE WOULD BE ASKING THE
VOTERS TO APPROVE.
IT CLARIFIES A COUPLE OF
PASSAGES. IT GENERALLY CLEANS
UP THE INITIAL PROPOSAL.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
DO YOU WANT TO A LESSON?
AND THEN WE CAN MOVE ON.
>> YES, THANK YOU.
THIS IS JUST A TECHNICAL
AMENDMENT TO IMPROVE THE
LANGUAGE IN THE BILL.
MAKE IT CLEARER ABOUT HOW THE
RANK CHOICE VOTING ACCOUNTING
WOULD OCCUR.
>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON
THE TECHNICAL AMENDMENT
PROPOSED BY COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
OKAY.
NOT SEEING ANY, THANK YOU FOR
BEING HERE.
ARE THERE ANY MORE COMMENTS?
NOT SEEN ANY COMMENTS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
WALL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDMENT?
>> COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER GONZELEZ .
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER HARRELL .
>> AYE..
>> AYE.
>> YES.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NONE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES.
NUMBER ONE IS ADOPTED.
IN MY UNDERSTANDING THERE ARE
NO FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE
BILL?
OKAY.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL
AS AMENDED.
>> COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW?
>> YES.
>> COUNCILMEMBER FULLER .
>> YES.
COUNCILMEMBER GONZELEZ .
>> AYE..
>> NAY..
>> AYE..
>> YES.
>> AYE..
>> EAT IN FAVOR, ONE OPPOSED.
>> ALL RIGHT.
OKAY, WITH THAT, IT LOOKED LIKE
IT PASSES.
EXCUSE ME, I HAVE TO GO BACK ON
THE LANGUAGE HERE.
THE BILL PASSES AS AMENDED.
THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
WILL THE ARC PLEASE AFFIX MY
SIGNATURE TO THE LEGISLATION ON
MY BEHALF.
GREAT.
MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
MADAM CLAIRE, WILL YOU PLEASE
READ ITEM NUMBER FOUR TO THE
RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR.
RESOLUTION 3257.
A RESOLUTION REGARDING A VOTER-
PROPOSED INITIATIVE MEASURE
CONCERNING ALLOWING VOTERS TO
VOTE FOR MULTIPLE CANDIDATES IN
PRIMARY ELECTIONS; AUTHORIZING
THE CITY CLERK AND THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMISSION
TO TAKE THOSE ACTIONS NECESSARY
TO ENABLE THE PROPOSED
INITIATIVE MEASURE TO APPEAR ON
THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022, BALLOT
AND THE LOCAL VOTERS' PAMPHLET;
REQUESTING THE KING COUNTY
ELECTIONS DIRECTOR TO PLACE THE
PROPOSED INITIATIVE MEASURE ON
THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022, ELECTION
BALLOT.
AND PROVIDING FOR THE
PUBLICATION OF SUCH PROPOSED
INITIATIVE MEASURE.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK.
AS SPONSOR OF THIS RESOLUTION,
I MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION
32057.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> THANK YOU.
IT HAS BEEN MOVED IN SECOND.
AT THE TOP OF THIS AGENDA WE
ASKED CLERK FILE 341195, THE
CERTIFICATE OF EFFICIENCY,
INITIATIVE 134, GATHERED ENOUGH
SIGNATURES TO QUALIFY FOR THE
BALLOT.
THIS RESOLUTION, UNAMENDED,
WILL PLACE INITIATIVE 134 ON
THE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER, AS
REQUIRED UNDER THE CITY
CHARTER.
THIS COUNSEL ALSO PASSED CLERK
FILE 341-4498, WHICH PLACES THE
RANK CHOICE VOTING ALTERNATIVE
ON THE BALLOT, IN ADDITION TO
THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL.
úTHEREFORE, WE WILL NOW CONSIDE
A SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION, WHICH
PLACES I-134 ON THE BALLOT,
WITH THE ALTERNATIVE.
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS -- ARE
THERE ANY COMMENTS BEFORE HAND
IT OFF?
OKAY, NOT SEEING ANY,
COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS, I BELIEVE
YOU HAVE A MOTION FOR ME.
>> YES, THANK YOU MADAM
PRESIDENT.
I MOVED TO -- AS PRESENTED ON
THE AGENDA.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND
SECONDED TO MOVE THE
RESOLUTION.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADDRESS THE
SUBSTITUTE?
>> YES, THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
PRESIDENT.
THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
PRESIDENT FOR NAVIGATING THE
AGENDA IN THE PROCESS THIS
AFTERNOON.
YOU ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB.
I DO NOT REALLY HAVE EXTENSIVE
REMARKS ON THIS.
THIS SUBSTITUTE REFLECTS THE
CHANGES BASED ON THE ACTIONS WE
HAVE PREVIOUSLY TAKEN IN THIS
MEETING.
I WOULD JUST URGE WE PASSED THE
AMENDMENT, AND PASS THE
UNDERLYING RESOLUTION
REFLECTING THE CHANGES IN HOW
THE COUNCILMEMBER HAS DECIDED
TO PROCEED.
>> THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER
LEWIS.
ARE THERE ANY COMP COMMENTS ON
THE SUBSTITUTE?
OKAY, NOT SEEING OR HEARING ANY
COMMENT, ANY FURTHER COMMENTS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION?
COUNCILMEMBER BAGSHAW .
>> YES.
COUNCILMEMBER HARRELL.
AYE..
>> AYE..
>> AYE.
>> YES.
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NINE OPPOSED.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES.
THE SUBSTITUTE IS ADOPTED IN
VERSION 2 OF THE RESOLUTION IS
BEFORE THE COUNCILMEMBER.
ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS ON
VERSION 2 OF THE RESOLUTION
BEFORE US?
OKAY, NOT SEEN ANY.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THE
AMENDED.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE
POLICE ON THE ADOPTION OF THE
AMENDED RESOLUTION?
>> YES.
>> AYE.
>> YES.
>> AYE.
>> NINE IN FAVOR, NINE OPPOSED.
THE CHAIR WILL SIGN IT.
>> MADAM CLERK WILL YOU PLEASE
AFFIX MY SIGNATURE TO THE
RESOLUTION ON MY BEHALF.
LET'S SEE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS?
ARE WE DONE?
WE SHOULD BE DONE, RIGHT?
>> THAT CONCLUDES BUSINESS.
>> HOLED UP, EVERYBODY.
GOT IT.
SORRY, I SWITCHED PAPERS HERE.
BEFORE WE ADJOURN, I WANT TO
THANK COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS AND
HIS STAFF FOR GETTING ALL THIS
MATERIAL TO US, AND THE
INFORMATION.
A HUGE THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR
PROVIDING NOT ONLY A POWERPOINT
AND A GUIDE, AND A MEMO, AND A
BRIEFING. WE WANT TO THINK THE
CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR
WALKING US THROUGH SOME OF
THESE ISSUES.
I WANT TO THANK ALL MY
COLLEAGUES WHO ENGAGED IN THE
DISCUSSION, AND THE DEBATE
ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT APPROVAL
VOTING OR RANK CHOICE VOTING .
IT LOOKS LIKE AT THE END OF THE
DAY, BOTH MATTERS WILL GO
FORWARD.
WITH THAT, BEFORE WE ADJOURN, I
SEE COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS -- IS
THAT A OLDER NEW HAND?
>> I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU
AGAIN FOR RUNNING A COMPLICATED
PROCESS THIS AFTERNOON, AND
MAKING IT LOOK EASY.
ALSO JUST WANT TO THINK YOUR
OFFICE, WHO IS AN INCREDIBLE
ASSET IN LINING UP THIS
PROCESS, AND MAKING SURE
EVERYTHING WAS DONE EFFICIENTLY
AND PROFESSIONALLY.
AND JACOB, MY CHIEF OF STAFF
FOR USHERING THAT FORWARD, TOO.
I REALLY WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT
, COUNCILMEMBER PRESIDENT, TO
SAY YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB
PRESIDING OVER A VERY LONG
MEETING TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> IF WE WERE PLAYING CITY
COUNCILMEMBER BANGLE, I DID NOT
SEE BYZANTINE COMING UP.
THANK YOU FOR THAT.
COLLEAGUES, THIS DOES CONCLUDE
THE TERMS OF BUSINESS ON
TODAY'S AGENDA.
OUR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED
READING IS TUESDAY, JULY 19th
AT 2:00.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL
AFTERNOON.
WE ARE JOINED.
THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.