Many King County voters have already received ballots for the August 3, 2021 primary. There are critical issues at play in this election when it comes to public safety, homelessness, livability and economic recovery. We are especially watching Seattle’s mayoral race, Seattle City Council and the Seattle City Attorney’s office since the city faces a rise in homelessness, despite record spending. The city has also seen a historic rise in crime while at the same time a shortage of police officers that the interim police chief says is a “crisis.” As voters consider which candidates deserve their support, we’d like to offer some questions to consider:

1. Does this candidate have a plan to change course on the homelessness crisis?
2. Do they think the status quo downtown is acceptable or do they have a plan for revitalization?
3. Is this candidate able to work with people whose beliefs are not perfectly aligned with their own?
4. Does this candidate have a record of taking responsibility and holding themselves accountable?
5. Does this candidate have a plan for major city priorities? For homelessness, economic recovery, public safety?
6. Is this candidate responsible with taxpayer dollars? Do they practice fiscal discipline and ask whether taxpayer money spent, is spent effectively?
7. Will this candidate work with community members and police effectively on police reforms?
8. Does this candidate believe that Seattle is a great city facing great challenges and that it’s time for a new direction?

These are questions we are asking as we fill out our ballots. We hope that this election and the emergence from the pandemic offers a chance at a new beginning for Seattle and our region so that everyone in the city can thrive.