As activists and candidates are well aware, the moment one election cycle ends, another begins.
Only a few months have passed since the 2010 midterms, which featured an array of corporate-funded ballot measures, a hard-fought U.S. Senate race, and several closely contested U.S. House races.
Those irritated by insidious advertising, endless robocalls, and nonstop “horse race” coverage on cable news will be relieved to hear that 2011 looks like it will be one of the quietest election cycles in recent years, permitting at least a temporary reprieve before 2012 contests heat up.
As this is an odd-numbered year, there will be no statewide elected positions on the ballot. There could be a few ballot measures, although unusually, Tim Eyman does not have anything in the works for this year’s ballot, partly because he is still attempting to pay off debt incurred last year during the signature drive for Initiative 1053. He is, however, planning to try to put a clone of I-1053 on the ballot in 2012.
Liberty-loving Washingtonians, anticipating the difficulty of helping their fellow citizens understand that requiring two-thirds votes for any type of legislation is undemocratic and unconstitutional, are already trying to lay the foundation for an effective opposition campaign.
In King County, there will only be a few county-wide contests, including the county-level positions of Assessor and Director of Elections.
Incumbents Lloyd Hara and Sherril Huff have confirmed they’re seeking reelection.
While the position of Director of Elections requires little explanation, many voters are unfamiliar with the Assessor’s role.
The Assessor’s job is to manage the Department of Assessments, the county agency responsible for appraising property. The Assessor does not determine tax policy or set property tax levy limits. It’s a technical position, much like Director of Elections.
Some “good government” advocates believe it should be an appointed position rather than an elected one, but historically, it has been an elected position and will likely continue to be.
The other county-wide races are for Port Commission. Confusingly, although the port calls itself the “Port of Seattle,” all of King County falls within its jurisdiction. Commissioner Gael Tarleton has already announced that she will seek reelection; the plans of the other incumbent commissioner, Bill Bryant, are unclear. Bryant has signaled that he may run for governor in 2012, and might opt to leave the port so he can devote more time to campaigning statewide.
Voters in four King County Council districts must also decide who they want to represent them for the next four years. Incumbents in all the even-numbered districts are up this time around: Larry Gossett in the 2nd, Larry Phillips in the 4th, Jane Hague in the 6th, and Joe McDermott in the 8th. All except for Hague are Democrats. Hague, a Republican, already has two declared challengers: Attorney Richard Mitchell of Mercer Island and Seattle Port Commissioner John Creighton.
Approximately 300 or so other positions will also be on the ballot across King County, according to the Department of Elections. Many of these positions are at the city level. Several cities with a “strong mayor” form of government (where the mayor serves as the city’s chief executive, rather than a city manager) will be choosing a mayor for the next four years, including Redmond.
Redmond Mayor John Marchione has already confirmed he will run for reelection.
Conversely, 2012 will be all about the state and federal levels. For the first time since 2004, there will be both a gubernatorial and a U.S. Senate race in the same cycle here. All the other statewide executive positions will also be up, including attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, lands commissioner, insurance commissioner, and superintendent of public instruction. State Supreme Court justices elected in 2006 will also stand for election, as will the entire state House and half of the Senate. And of course, there will be the presidential race.
Although 2011 will be a quieter election year, what’s on the ballot is by no means less important. We like home rule here in Washington, and that’s why we have so many different local governments. Especially now that we principally vote by mail here in King County, there’s no excuse for sitting out this year’s election. So make an effort to go to a forum or two in your city or school district. Meet the candidates. Cast an informed vote and encourage your neighbors to do likewise. Your voice counts.