Secretary of State Sam Reed predicted that this year's general election--the first to offer 100% vote-by-mail--would draw about 47% of eligible voters to the polls. But as of yesterday, on important issues like I-1183 (which passed) and I-1125 (which didn't), only around 35% of Washington State's registered voters, and just 30% of those in King County's ballots were in. What happened? more ›

What's that? Your election hangover still hasn't worn off? Well, these news won't help your headache any. more ›

Surely, you've checked the election results by now. If not, here's the long-and-short: more ›

Today's news is a horrible mire of awesome and awful, which includes missing children and white men saying things. more ›

In a statement issued last week, the Secretary of State, Sam Reed, predicted that voter turnout for today's election would probably fall just short of half of the State of Washington's eligible population--a marked decline over recent years. more ›

Sick fish are sick (but fish farmers don't want you to think that), a missing kid is still missing (and guess what? His parents are shady), and the cycling Mayor doesn't like that anti-transit initiative. No surprises here! more ›

If your ballot isn't post-marked by tomorrow, we'll shame you forever. Also, it won't be counted. So why not just vote today? more ›

One robber is in custody, while a stabber is still on the loose. Also, a big gift for MOHAI and no surprised in the most recent round of election results. more ›

Did you even realize there was an election last night? You'd better brush up on the results so your co-workers don't realize how out of the loop you are. Hint: people like tunnels and incumbents. more ›

News from at home and abroad today. Also, it's election day--so vote before 8 p.m., and let your voice be counted. more ›

Quit slacking off on your civic duty and cast your vote. Ballot boxes are open until 8 p.m., just for last-minute folks like you. more ›

Admit it - you want to buy booze at QFC. Or better, in bulk at Costco. But does it make sense for the state? This report seems to think so. Drinks all around! more ›

Don't be a horrible person. Watch these nifty candidate videos, read up on the issues, and cast your damn ballot! more ›

The USPS may not be perfect (ahem, yard pooping), but they're now the only way you can cast a vote anywhere in Washington State. Thanks a lot, Pierce County. more ›

Were you burned by the demise of the Monorail Project and, with it, the Green Line from West Seattle to Ballard? Fear not - McGinn won't let it drop. more ›

• Europe's fast and feared fútbol team, the Fútbol Club Barcelona, is finally here on Seattle soil. Tonight, the Barca will step out to a sold-out Qwest Field, where they'll find the Sounders hiding ready and waiting for the friendly soccer...err...fútbol game. Go Sounders! (fingers crossed)
• My Ballard reports that Seattle Department of Transportation crews are embracing their inner artists and painting new "sharrows" for bicyclists along 32nd Ave. NW.

It's right smack in the middle of Seattle's 2009 Elections, and we've noticed a familiar name on the ballot. Kay Smith Blum...Kay Smith Blum--like, CEO of Butch Blum? Yes, Seattle's premier high fashion retail exec is running for Seattle School Board Position #5, and we got a chance to ask her what's the deal. more ›

A revamped Seattle PostGlobe--courtesy of those crazy kids at Instivate--has rolled out, and along with it, they've rolled out a refocused mission: to be "the source for economic and local civic news." The ex-P-I crew is divvying up the city thusly: Kathy Mulady is on elections coverage; Larry Lange, transportation issues; and Kery Murakami takes City Hall. Plus they've nabbed PubliCola's Josh Feit for local politics input. But wait there's more! They've got video from KCTS 9 and new reports from KPLU 88.5 FM. We applaud their work integrating local blogs into the site, too. Now to integrate the money... more ›

Yesterday, King County councilman Larry Phillips officially announced his run for the King County Executive seat--an elected position currently held by Ron Sims, who may or may not be campaigning for a fourth term. Phillips accused Sims of losing focus on King County business, though the executive has issued formal statements re-affirming his dedication to local issues. Sims is rumored to be jonesing for a federal appointment within the Obama administration. more ›

We had no idea Seattle Metropolitan even had blogs, but they do, and the fashion one (the first one we clicked on) by Laura Cassidy is fun. Cassidy was not enamored with Michelle Obama's white ball gown but really dug her lemongrass suit. Seattle Weekly's new music editor, Jonathan Cunningham, introduced himself over at Reverb ("I'm not a hipster. I pull no punches"). Over at Sound Politics, Stefan Sharkansky is freaking out about mail-in ballot signature verification. And the great debate about school closures continues, respectfully, at Crosscut: they've published the School Board's rebuttal of Dick Lilly's argument that the SPS shouldn't close any schools at all.
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Starbucks--and Babeland, and Krispy Kreme, and Ben & Jerry's, and Irwin's, and Cupcake Royale, and probably other places we haven't heard about--got a lot of publicity when they offered to give away free coffee to anyone who voted today. (And maybe more Facebook publicity than they hoped for. ) Turns out, though, that bribing rewarding voters with free stuff violates some of those pesky election laws. Never fear, though: You can get a free tall brewed drip coffee at Starbucks just by asking for it, whether you've voted or not. The invaluable Big Blog is staying on top of the status of all those promotions. more ›

King County absentee ballots went out yesterday! Here's the Wash. State 2008 Online Voter Guide for this election. Here's your King County voter's information, including a beautiful video about how to fill out your absentee ballot: more ›

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008053572_webfundraising15m.html">out-raised Republican incumbent Dave Reichert. In the second quarter of fundraising, Burner had raised $1.25 million for her campaign, to her challenger's $916,401. more ›

Yesterday, this Seattlest headed to the U-District library to meet with other Hillary Clinton delegates (Hillegates?) from the fightin' 43rd, and to learn about what lies between us and the national convention. Because we care, we thought we'd share the info with you. If you're not a Hillegate or Obamegate, you can just skip to reading about other things. more ›