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Welcome to the Common Election 2024 Stay Weblog. Election Day is right here, and it’s time to seize your anxiousness meds and vice of selection and tuck in for a wild journey.
Likelihood is, we received’t know the outcomes of the presidential election tonight (although we’ll seemingly know who received Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan by the tip of the night time—we’ll maintain you posted.)
However within the meantime, we must always have outcomes for a few of our most essential native elections earlier than all of us go to mattress tonight. As at all times, we’ll be lurking at their events, judging their snacks, and capturing the election night time magic/anxiousness/crushing defeat.
In case you haven’t voted but, there’s nonetheless time! However run, don’t stroll.
Verify your voter registration right here. In case you’re not, you possibly can nonetheless register and vote at one in all seven voting facilities within the county, that are open till 8 pm at this time. Keep in mind to carry your Washington State driver’s license, and a state ID, or memorize the final 4 digits of your social safety quantity whenever you go. In case you’re already registered to vote, superior. The poll needs to be in your mailbox except you took it out and put it someplace bizarre, but when it’s not, you possibly can print out a brand new one or go vote in individual at a King County voting middle. When you’ve crammed out your poll, discover your nearest drop field right here.
When you’ve voted, if that you must be with people who find themselves simply as burdened as you, come on by The Stranger and KEXP’s election get together on the Crocodile. The get together began at 4 pm however we’ll be there till midnight—be a part of us!
Now again to enterprise. Need a refresher on the races as we rely them down? Take a look at our endorsements right here.
Right here’s a really non-exhaustive record of the issues to know stepping into:
- We’re going to elect a brand new governor! (Bob, you higher have meals at your get together this time.) Each The Stranger and the Seattle Instances endorsed Bob Ferguson, and he was squarely within the lead in latest polls, so we’re not too fearful about MAGA-dude Dave Reichert working the state.
- Alexis Mercedes Rinck! The latest polling places the progressive newcomer an entire 24 factors forward of Council appointee Tanya Woo. Woo got here in second within the August main, however Woo’s marketing campaign supervisor known as the hole between the 2 candidates (Rinck’s 50.2% to Woo’s 38.4%) “brutal.” It appears like Woo’s huge enterprise supporters deserted her within the common, so we’re hoping to ship a correct progressive to Metropolis Corridor tonight.
- Now right here’s one for the books, of us—an actual blue-on-blue showdown within the ninth Congressional District. We’ve obtained 14-term Congressman Adam Smith, who can be a Home Armed Companies Committee bigwig, going head-to-head with civil rights firebrand Melissa Chaudhry. What’s the first dividing line? What else: Gaza and the continuing horror present that Smith pretends to wring his palms over whereas quietly writing clean checks for the following spherical of airstrikes. He is made empty requires a ceasefire, whereas Chaudhry has known as for an arms embargo. With no fears of a Republican successful within the state’s solely majority POC- district, it’s going to be fascinating to see if the race serves as a referendum on Smith’s assist of the Israeli genocide.
- Have you ever examine Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s opponent on this election? Native households say David Olson is cozy with Mothers for Liberty, a far-right mother and father group that opposes inclusive insurance policies and classes on race, gender, and sexuality at school; and he helped the Peninsula Faculty District push away important race principle and Range, Fairness, and Inclusion (DEI) coaching whereas mother and father and college students raised considerations about racism and discrimination in his district. The race for Superintendent of Public Instruction is a nonpartisan race, which is probably going why the newest polls present that 21% of voters plan to vote for Reykdal, 18% for Olson, and a whopping 61% had no concept who they’re voting for. We hate this, and we’ll be watching it carefully.
- All eyes are on Clallam County. This little bellwether county on the high of the Olympic Peninsula has backed each presidential winner since 1980. Will they maintain their streak?
Verify again usually—we’ll maintain you up to date by way of the night time!
Free Protest Results in Arrests on Capitol Hill
7:10 pm
The Seattle Police Division made not less than 4 arrests at a protest on Capitol Hill tonight. Some flyers posted earlier within the week known as for individuals to indicate up at Cal Anderson Park at 6 pm on Election Day to protest the “genocide overseas and a militarized police state at dwelling.” Apparently, numerous cops are out on the hill tonight on their bikes based on one of many photographers we’ve helping us with election protection. SPD stated the King County Sheriff’s Workplace has their helicopter out to help them with the scenario.
The Social Justice League Will Save Seattle
7:08 pm
We’ve arrived at Saint John’s in Capitol Hill for the mixed election night time get together for progressives Shaun Scott, a candidate for the forty third District, District 46 Rep. Darya Farivar, and Alexis Mercedes Rinck, the Seattle Metropolis Council candidate difficult appointee Tanya Woo for Place 8. The Stranger endorsed all three of those progressive candidates this 12 months, and if the outcomes tonight are something just like the midterms, all three are prone to win.
It’d be a jolly vibe if everybody wasn’t so goddamn nervous concerning the presidential election. The individuals carrying Harris/Walz shirts are trying from their telephones to the large display TV exhibiting minute-by-minute updates from NBC. The room was filling up and a gaggle of men requested to sit down at our desk, together with Harrison Jerome, a volunteer with the Rinck marketing campaign from the beginning as a result of he thinks she’s good on housing affordability. “I’m a renter and I need to stay in Seattle and by my mother and father,” he stated. “But it surely will get more durable and more durable yearly. Looks like if you happen to didn’t transfer right here within the ’90s you just about haven’t any hope of proudly owning a house.” As we talked, his eyes barely left the display.
A minute later, Rinck walked within the door, trailed by a cameraman from Fox 13 with a blindingly shiny mild. On the again porch, she tells me she tried to take it gradual at this time. She made some calls, did some signal waving, and ran off the pre-election jitters. She says that over the previous few weeks, voters have been desperate to share their private experiences with affordability, security, and their family members combating substance use dysfunction.
“They only need to be heard,” she says. “…They need to know the way the Metropolis can play a task in addressing these issues.”
Boooo, Bob Ferguson!
6:56 pm
Ferguson received’t let anybody in his get together. So excited for this man to signify the Democratic Celebration. Massive tent with no room for the individuals. ☹️
Good Gossip (however No Free Booze) at Andrea Suarez’s Celebration
6:49 pm
State Home candidate Andrea Suarez of We Coronary heart Seattle fame hosted a small gathering at Cotto (no free booze, remind us to Venmo request Brady). In a small crowd of lower than a dozen, Suarez gave us plenty of consideration. She stated she had by no means seen us in a lot clothes! We known as her impolite within the second, however we forgive her. She additionally loudly prompted We Coronary heart Seattle’s Tim Emerson to inform us how many individuals the group has housed this 12 months. He stated eight. Suarez stated there’s numerous good We Coronary heart Seattle does, however individuals get fixated on the instances she’s moved tents and stuff. She stated extra protection ought to come concerning the positives of her controversial group after the election.
However after an Aperol spritz, we actually gossiped like ladies. We discovered that Suarez lately officiated a marriage for 2 of her “authentic litter pickers,” relitigated her expertise show-related trauma, and shit-talked consultants.
Suarez additionally tattled on Council Member Tanya Woo, who instructed us she wasn’t having a public get together. Seems she’s internet hosting a gathering on the waterfront. Suarez grumbled about Woo not agreeing to a mixed get together. She stated she feels a bit insecure about the truth that individuals got here to her get together early so they may get to Woo’s occasion in time for the outcomes.
Talking of, Council President Sara Nelson popped in briefly. She left round 6:15 pm, most likely to get to Woo’s occasion, based on Suarez. Feeling snubbed, we plotted briefly to crash Woo’s get together. We provided to choose up litter for 3 hours in alternate for the handle for Woo’s secret get together, however she did not rat her all the best way out.
Sadly, we simply missed Council President Sara Nelson. She saved loads of area between us earlier than she rushed out the door.
Oh Hey, Kay!
6:39 pm
Democratic conference delegate Kay Acholonu doubled up on the cowboy hats, sporting the one from tonight and the one from the Democratic Conference.
Immaculate Vibes at Consultant Pramila Jayapal’s Celebration
6:33 pm
In a swath of empty, lonely, chilly rooms, Jayapal’s get together set itself aside because the place to be on this conference middle tonight. She lucked out that the air-con in her room crapped out, we walked in and instantly felt like we had been truly at a celebration, not a failing mega church’s Sunday service (severely conference middle lighting is horrible for the vibes). Jayapal says she expects Democrats to win the presidency tonight, in addition to the Home. We famous that one in all her former marketing campaign staffers, Shaun Scott, is on the poll tonight, and he or she says an entire host of nice new and previous native candidates are on the poll this 12 months, name-checking Bob Ferguson amongst them. We left Jayapal with a drink in her hand and in dialog with Leesa Manion, who appeared relieved to not be standing in a largely empty room.
Do You Have to See a Image of a Cat Sporting a Cheeseburger Hat?
6:29 pm
That fucking New York Instances needle is again, goddammit.
You Have Two Hours Left to Vote, Seattle!
6 pm
Washington polls shut at 8 pm! Not even registered? There’s nonetheless time! Haven’t dropped off your poll but? Discover the closest drop field and get to it!
As Hannah Krieg wrote on Monday:
As of 9 am Monday, 50% of King County’s 1.4 million registered voters forged a poll. That’s a a lot larger engagement charge than in typical odd-year elections, the place lower than half of registered voters normally take part. Nevertheless, turnout nonetheless falls in need of the almost 86% we noticed in 2020.
Younger individuals want to choose up the slack. About 21% of registered voters are 65 or older, however with a whopping 71% of these voters handing over a poll, they make up 30% of the returned ballots. As for voters below 35, they account for 28% of all registered voters, however make up solely about 19% of the returned ballots. Younger individuals: You are inclined to vote higher than previous individuals. Sorry, not sorry. Please get to the poll field!
Early Birds Arrive on the Massive Dem Celebration
5:53 pm
King County Prosecuting Legal professional Leesa Manion arrived on the Dem get together on the Conference Heart. She regarded round for a second and commented how quiet every little thing was. They’d solely simply opened the doorways, however we agree along with her. Manion stated she feels just like the election shall be stable on the native degree, and he or she’s “going to stay within the land of hope” concerning the presidential race.
And Now for a Message from the Nice Riz Rollins
5:33 pm
Riz Rollins has entered the chat with some considerate phrases for the night time, from our election get together on the Crocodile:
Alllllll the Democrats Are Gathering on the Conference Heart, The place They’re Passing Out Sparkly Cowboy Hats
5:20 pm
We arrived on the Seattle Conference Heart to the odor of popcorn and the vibes of a type of conferences the place you study to promote actual property. Candidates anticipated right here tonight embody US Senator Maria Cantwell, Legal professional Common and gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson, Governor Jay Inslee, US Consultant Pramila Jayapal, Candidate for Legal professional Common Nick Brown, King County Councilmember and Public Lands Commissioner candidate Dave Upthegrove, and the Defend WA Coalition who mounted the opposition to the statewide initiatives. Excited to see Ferguson spend the entire night time avoiding somebody inserting one in all these sparkly hats on his head.
Chris Reykdal Is Extra Nervous About Presidential Race Outcomes Than His Personal
5:14 pm
“It’s been an extended 18 months, however I’m glad it’s over,” says Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. Simply dwelling from work, he plans to swing by a operate with the Thurston County Democrats tonight. He’ll be again by 8 pm to lock in and watch the numbers.
Reykdal obtained screens. His marketing campaign supervisor’s obtained screens. They’ll be watching the county-by-county numbers in his race, in addition to races within the Legislature, the open State Supreme Court docket race, the Commissioner of Public Lands Race, and the I-2109 poll measure to repeal the state’s good points tax, an enormous deal for training. They’ll throw MSNBC on the TV for the presidential. The clear favourite, Reykdal is extra nervous about Trump and Harris than his personal race.
The Superintendent race is technically a non-partisan, however the one non-partisan half about it’s that voters received’t see both candidate’s political desire on the poll. Virtually talking, the Democrat-endorsed Reykdal and his Republican-endorsed challenger David Olson have vastly totally different visions for our colleges.
Reykdal is a progressive former trainer, former state legislator and the two-time OSPI incumbent. He cares about feeding poor children, diversifying the workforce, paying academics what they deserve, and defending queer and trans children from the onslaught of “anti-woke” assaults from right-wingers.
Republican-endorsed David Olson is a type of right-wingers. As a member of the Peninsula Faculty District faculty board, he made associates along with his native chapter of Mothers for Liberty. He stated in his almost 11 years on that board combating DEI and “important race principle” was one in all his proudest moments.
Regardless of this clear distinction, a Northwest Progressive Institute survey of 571 seemingly voters discovered that regardless of the stark ideological divide, 61% didn’t know who they had been voting for. Of those that did know who they supported, Reykdal held a slender three-point lead (21%) over Olson (18%).
Andrew Villeneuve, founder and govt director of the NWPI, stated in an electronic mail that the shortage of get together affiliation explains the massive group of undecided voters on this race, although earlier polling reveals Washingtonians are captivated with Reykdal’s coverage positions. “For these voters taking the time to check the candidates, it ought to grow to be obvious fairly rapidly that Chris is fired as much as sort out the robust points head-on.” (The NWPI has labored with Reykdal for years on points like no-cost meals and faculty seismic security, he says.)
Rekydal says that’s only a actuality of his race. “I do assume it’ll be nearer than it was 4 years in the past, however I additionally assume it’s simply the truth that there isn’t an apparent D or an R by a reputation,” he says. “They only don’t have the standard political cues.”
The Massive East Coast Dump Outcomes…
5:04 pm
A number of polls on the East Coast simply closed, and the New York Instances is projecting:
Trump wins Florida, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Harris wins Maryland, Massachusetts, and Delaware.
Polls are nonetheless open right here in Washington for an additional virtually 3 hours! Get your ballots in! There are tons of native elections value voting on!
Here is one other cat in a backpack.
Vermont Goes to Sanders and Harris
4:30 pm
However you already knew that would not occur, did not you?
Associated: New York Instances known as Kentucky and West Virginia for Trump.
Don’t fret, we’ve extra cat footage for later.
MSNBC Calls Indiana for Trump
4:06 pm
Don’t panic. It’s early.
Here is an image of a cat getting ready for area journey.
Melissa Demyan’s Mind Feels Like Goo
3:55 pm
Melissa Demyan, the courageous labor organizer taking over Rep. Larry Springer, the Stranger Election Management Board’s least favourite so-called Democrat within the State Home, says her mind seems like goo proper now. Her marketing campaign’s reached greater than 63,000 voters, knocked on 10,000 doorways, made 1,300 cellphone calls, and pitched 500 indicators in lawns. And this morning, she and her accomplice placed on their matching Adidas tracksuits—saved for particular events—to do some last-minute get-out-the-vote effort. When The Stranger known as her (we solely took 5 minutes of her valuable time, we’re very thoughtful!), she stated she nonetheless had yet one more “lit drop” earlier than she might head to her get together at Ixtapa in Redmond Ridge. She plans to deal with herself to a sipping shot of the nicest tequila in the home whereas she watches the outcomes roll in for her race and throughout the nation. Jane Fonda won’t be in attendance.
Iconic actress Jane Fonda endorses labor organizer Melissa Demyan to unseat 20-year incumbent Rep. Larry Springer within the forty fifth LD, who she stated we must always actually name a Republican. Fonda additionally asks voters to vote NO on the Let’s Go Washington initiatives. pic.twitter.com/0jaW7IYQmc
— Hannah Krieg (@hannahkrieg) October 11, 2024
Each motion counts for Demyan. She got here inside hanging distance of Springer within the main, however he outspent her about 5 to 1. Nonetheless, given the outpouring of neighborhood assist and her crew’s tireless floor recreation, she anticipates a detailed match. Both means, Demyan’s happy with the race she and her supporters ran. Demyan felt particularly hartened when a supporter responded to a marketing campaign textual content to inform her that her 8-year-old is telling everybody they encounter that she’s her favourite candidate in addition to Kamala Harris.
Melissa Chaudhry: Not Stressing, Consuming Cake
2:45 pm
After an extended weekend of door knocking, flyering, and common get-out-the-voting, U.S. Home of Reps candidate Melissa Chaudhry is able to have a good time along with her supporters and the broader motion towards Israel’s genocide in Gaza. “I’m doing get together prep and never stressing. I repeat—not stressing,” Chaudhry instructed the Stranger Election Management Board in a cellphone name this afternoon.
She’s throwing a celebration on the Mall of Africa Restaurant in SeaTac the place her supporters will take pleasure in meals, non-alcoholic drinks (coconut water seems to be the gang favourite, she says), and a cake frosted to resemble her marketing campaign yard indicators.
Till then, Chaudhry says she’ll be maintaining with prayer, however she received’t be praying for a victory. Her competitors, Warhawk Rep. Adam Smith, secured greater than 50% of the vote within the main. Flushed with money from the protection trade and pro-Israel PACs, Smith has a fairly good likelihood at successful the overall too.
If she loses, Chaudhry says she is going to proceed to do “a lot of the identical work” she’s completed on the marketing campaign.
“Dozens and dozens and dozens of individuals have instructed us that they are registering to vote or their entire households are registering to vote for the primary time due to my marketing campaign,” says Chaudhry. “And that is the sort of grassroots engagement and political empowerment that we have to make democracy actual.”
She additionally hopes her marketing campaign sends a transparent message to Smith that his constituents need funding at dwelling, not in genocides throughout the globe.
A Rainbow Seems
1:44 pm
As we had been getting ready all our election night time protection, this rainbow appeared over town. Good omen?
