Democracy Vouchers Coming January 2017
Apply now to receive your $100 in Democracy Vouchers!
If you are a registered voter, you do not need to apply and will automatically receive your Democracy Vouchers by mail after January 3, 2017.
Not sure if you are a registered voter? Visit the King County Elections' website to check if you are a registered voter and/or update your address.
Find the list of eligible candidates you may give your Democracy Vouchers to under the Seattle residents' page.
How did the Democracy Voucher Program begin?
In November 2015, Seattle voters passed a citizen-led initiative known as the "Honest Elections Seattle Initiative" (I-122). I-122 changed a number of campaign financing rules for candidates running for elected positions. One of the major reforms included the creation of the Democracy Voucher Program, which is administered by the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.
The Democracy Voucher Program allows and encourages more Seattle residents to donate to campaigns and/or run for elected positions themselves.
Beginning January 2017, eligible Seattle residents will have the opportunity to assign four Democracy Vouchers, each valued at $25, to support candidates in the 2017 City of Seattle elections.
As an effort to engage Seattle residents, key program materials will be translated in Spanish, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Somali, Tagalog, Korean, Cambodian, Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, Laotian, Thai, and Russian.
Seattle is the first city in the nation to try this type of public campaign financing. The Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission is committed to increasing transparency, accountability, and accessibility for how campaigns are financed.
Visit the Seattle residents page for more information about how Seattle residents may participate in the Democracy Voucher Program.
Visit the Candidates page for information about how to qualify as a candidate in the Democracy Voucher Program. Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Polly Grow, the Campaign Finance Auditor and Trainer before starting a campaign.