Ballots Mailed For Sawant Recall Election In Seattle's District 3

Seattle WA

17 November, 2021

6:10 PM

Description

SEATTLE — Just two weeks after the 2021 general election, ballots were mailed Wednesday to approximately 76,000 Seattle voters who will decide the outcome of a lengthy recall effort against Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant. Sawant's District 3 includes Capitol Hill, First Hill, Montlake, the Central District, Leschi and Madrona. The organizers behind the Recall Sawant petition accuse the councilmember of improperly using city resources to promote her Tax Amazon campaign, disregarding COVID-19 protocols by allowing protesters into City Hall in June 2020, and "leading" a protest near Mayor Jenny Durkan's home, which has a protected address due to Durkan's former role as a U.S. Attorney. As The Stranger notes, the march was organized by the Seattle branch of the Democratic Socialists of America, and Sawant denies knowing the address, planning the event, or leading the march. The recall campaign submitted its needed signatures too late to make general election ballots, which Sawant supporters have criticized as intentional, hoping for lower turnout during a special election in the midst of the holiday season. King County Elections certified the recall petition in late September, and state law requires the election to take place within 45 to 90 days. "A number of factors influenced our decision to set the recall election on December 7," said Julie Wise, director of King County Elections, in September. "With both the November General and February Special elections being outside the realm of possibility, we looked at dates that would reduce overlap between elections for our voters and sought to avoid the busy December holiday season as much as possible. There's no perfect date to schedule an election but our hope is that voters will show up, turn out, and use their voice in this election just like any other." Only Seattle voters living within Sawant's district will receive the single-issue recall ballots, which feature the three charges levied against the councilmember, followed by her official rebuttal and a simple yes or no option. View a sample of the ballot via King County Elections. "Big business and the right wing want to remove Kshama because she's such an effective fighter for working people," the rebuttal reads in part. "The recall is bankrolled by the corporate elite and 500+ Republicans, including Trump's biggest Washington donor, George Petrie. Corporate landlords back it because they want to stop Kshama's fight for rent control." Earlier in the year, the 43rd District Democrats also voted to formally support Sawant against the recall. "We have stood behind Councilmember Sawant before, and there is no reason for us to stop now — in fact, quite the opposite," said Scott Alspach, chair of the 43rd Democrats, in February. "It is shameful to see such an undemocratic and retaliatory effort led by the same upper-class in Seattle who perpetuated racist and misogynistic attacks against Sawant for years." Sawant won a third term on the council in 2019, besting challenger Egan Orion by nearly four points after overcoming a large election night deficit. According to The Stranger, the recall effort got a boost early on by getting Orion's 2019 campaign donor e-mail list. If the recall succeeds, the Seattle City Council will appoint an interim replacement who would have to run for the seat in 2022, and again when Sawant's term would have been up in 2023. Registered voters in District 3 should receive their ballots no later than Monday, Nov. 22. Voters who need to register or change their information can do so online and by mail through Nov. 29. A special vote center will open for in-person assistance and registration at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in early December. Ballots can be returned by mail or via the 16 ballot drop boxes across District 3, which will close promptly at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Dec. 7. Elections officials told The Seattle Times the special recall election will cost the city of Seattle between $250,000 and $300,000. King County Elections resources: Find nearby drop boxes and vote centers.Track your ballot's progress online.Verify your voter registration status or change your address.Learn how to replace a lost ballot or envelope.