Seattle City Council 2019 Election Voters Guide 5 min read

Reading Time: 4 minutes

This guide is to educate voters on which candidates support Speak Out Seattle (SOS)’ positions for compassionate evidence-based solutions to better address crime, public safety, homelessness, addiction and mental illness. SOS also rated candidates on their commitment to use reliable data and best practices, as well as their ability to lead Seattle to better outcomes for all. As a grassroots nonpartisan group of all volunteers we are not beholden to any party, special interest or personal gain. We simply want to see Seattle do better. Click the links below to see our ratings.

Not sure which district you live in? See below maps or verify here.

What We Looked For

Speak Out Seattle (SOS) undertook an in-depth analysis of each Seattle City Council candidate’s policy positions, public record, work/life experience, skills, community involvement, communication style as well as our ten-point criteria that follow.

This guide was created by a varied and hardworking group of volunteers from throughout the city, who put in many hours attending forums, speaking one-on-one with candidates, reading campaign and news sources, and discussing and comparing notes at length.

The goal of this guide is to educate voters on which candidates support SOS positions and will be effective leaders who use data and best practices for best outcomes. The following criteria were considered in detail for every candidate with a total possible score of 100 points.

Public safety: Openly states that public safety is a priority and a main purpose of government. Supports hiring of additional police officers to deter crime, interact with the community and build trust. Advocates for criminal justice system reforms that will end the revolving-door treatment of prolific offenders as documented in the System Failure report. Homelessness response: Plans to act with urgency to bring people living on the streets inside based on best practices. Supports (1) a regional approach to homelessness, (2) the recommendations made in the Pathways Home report, (3) a true emergency response that includes bridge shelter and wraparound services, and (4) expansion of the Navigation Team as a means of offering shelter and services while protecting parks, green spaces and public rights of way. Addiction, mental illness and treatment: Supports funding and access to on-demand mental health and drug treatment. Calls for adequate state-level funding for services including treatment programs for individuals who pose a risk to themselves or the public. Opposes the pursuit of supervised injection sites before treatment on demand and wraparound services are available to every person who needs them, especially in light of federal threats of enforcement. Seeks out innovative programs that rebuild lives. Effective altruism: Supports a compassionate, evidence-based and pragmatic approach to policy and governing rather than an ideologically based approach. Good governance: Strongly supports a more inclusive, transparent, accountable and open government. Data-driven: Insists on the use of reliable data and independent sources for decision-making. Supports audits and ongoing oversight of programs to ensure they are and/or remain effective. Seattle focus: Focuses on the legislative responsibilities of the Seattle City Council rather than grandstanding on issues that fall outside of the municipal domain. Avoids enacting legislation that is in direct violation of state or federal laws that put the city at risk of lawsuits. District focus: Has strong community ties to the district, supports regular office hours in the district and advocates for the district. Qualifications: Has the education, life/work experience and/or accomplishments to qualify for the position. Leadership style: Communicates well and is likely to be an effective leader, collaborator and listener. Responsive to all constituents and their concerns.

This guide is merely a tool and we encourage voters to get and remain engaged. Click on the candidate’s name to navigate to their campaign website and learn more.

Find Your District

District 1 Geographic Area: Southwest Seattle Neighborhoods: Admiral, Alki, Arbor Heights, Delridge, Fairmount, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, Genesee-Schmitz, Harbor Island, High Point, Highland Park, Morgan Junction, North Delridge, Pigeon Point, Puget Ridge, Riverview, Roxhill, Seaview, South Delridge, South Park, Sunrise Heights, West Seattle, West Seattle Junction, Westwood, White Center

District 2 Geographic Area: Southeast Seattle Neighborhoods: Beacon Hill, Brighton, Chinatown/ID (both 2 & 7), Columbia City, Dunlap, Genesee, Georgetown, Hillman City, Industrial District, Lakewood/Seward Park, Little Saigon (both 2 & 3), Lockmore, Mount Baker (both 2 & 3), New Holly, North Beacon Hill (both 2 & 3), Othello, Rainier Beach, Rainier Valley, Rainier View, Rainier Vista, SoDo, South Beacon Hill

District 3 Geographic Area: Central Area East Neighborhoods: 15th Ave E / Volunteer Park, Broadmoor, Broadway, Capitol Hill, Central Area, Colman, Denny Blaine, First Hill, Garfield, Harborview, Jackson Place, Judkins, Leschi, Little Saigon (both 2 & 3), Madison Park, Madrona, Miller, Montlake, Mount Baker (both 2 & 3), North Beacon Hill (both 2 & 3), Pike/Pine, South Lake Union (both 3 & 7), Squire Park, Yesler Terrace

District 4 Geographic Area: Northeast Seattle

Neighborhoods: Belvedere Terrace, Eastlake, Fremont (both 4 & 6), Hawthorne Hills, Inverness, Laurelhurst, Magnuson Park, Maple Leaf (both 4 & 5), Portage Bay, Ravenna Bryant, Roosevelt, Sand Point, University District, University Park, View Ridge, Wallingford, Wedgwood (both 4 & 5), Windermere, Windermere North

Not sure if this is your district? Find/verify your district here.

District 5 Geographic Area: North Seattle

Neighborhoods: Aurora Licton, Bitter Lake, Broadview, Cedar Park, Greenwood (both 5 & 6), Haller Lake, Lake City, Licton Springs, Little Brook, Maple Leaf (both 4 & 5), Matthews Beach, Meadowbrook, North Park, Northgate, Olympic Hills, Pinehurst, Victory Heights, Wedgwood (both 4 & 5)

Not sure if this is your district? Find/verify your district here.

District 6 Geographic Area: Northwest Seattle

Neighborhoods: Ballard, Blue Ridge, Crown Hill, East Ballard, Fremont (both 4 & 6), Green Lake, Greenwood (both 5 & 6), Loyal Heights, North Beach, Olympic Manor, Phinney Ridge, Shilshole, Sunset Hill, West Woodland, Whittier Heights

Not sure if this is your district? Find/verify your district here.