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The fate of our state is in your hands. This fall's election has huge implications for our families, our communities, and our state. Our goal is to make smart, informed voting based on progressive values easier for you. So we worked with Washington's leading progressive organizations to produce a Progressive Voters Guide based on their endorsements -- one-stop shopping for highly informed recommendations about the races on your ballot.

The Progressive Voters Guide identifies the candidates with the most progressive track records and the ballot measure positions that will protect or promote progress in Washington.

Please forward this guide to your friends and family, and make sure to mail your ballot in by November 3rd.

Whatcom County

Election Info: Whatcom County Auditor

Ballots must be returned by Tuesday, November 3rd.

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Statewide Ballot Measures

Initiative 1033: Making Tough Times Worse
- Campaign Web Site
DON'T MISS THIS. It may be on the lower left of your ballot, below the instructions.

Tim Eyman's latest initiative would hurt our schools, make our health care crisis more severe and threaten our environment and our economy. Eyman claims his plan won't cut basic services, but the non-partisan Office of Financial Management says that I-1033 will reduce revenues for education, health care, the environment and other services by $5.9 billion over the next five years. There's no way we can lose that much funding without hurting our communities and the families who rely on these services. All we have to do is look to Colorado to see the damage I-1033 would do: a similar initiative there forced deep cuts to public schools, roads and highways and children's health care. It did so much damage to the state's economy that in 2005, Coloradans voted to suspend the law. Vote NO if you care about children's health, schools, public safety, environmental programs, parks, jobs and the future of our state.

Opponents include: Washington Conservation Voters, Cascade Bicycle Club, Sierra Club, SEIU Healthcare 775 NW, SEIU Local 925, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, UFCW Local 21, Washington State Labor Council, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, Planned Parenthood Votes!, Washington Bus, Fuse Washington, AARP Washington, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Children's Alliance, Climate Solutions, Community Health Network of Washington, Everett Area Chamber of Commerce, Futurewise, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Group Health Cooperative, League of Women Voters of Washington, Municipal League of King County, The Nature Conservancy of Washington, One America, People for Puget Sound, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Area Chamber of Commerce, Washington Association of Churches, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Washington Educational Association, American Federation of Teachers - Washington, Washington Fire Chiefs, Washington State Hospital Association, Washington State Nurses Association, AFT Washington, Washington State PTA, and League of Education Voters

Referendum No. 71: Keep the Domestic Partnership Law
- Campaign Web Site
Vote Approve on Referendum 71 so that registered domestic partners do not lose vital protections already passed by the legislature.

By voting to Approve Referendum 71 you can ensure that all families in all parts of the state are treated fairly and with the same protections and responsibilities, especially in times of crisis. There are more than 12,000 people across Washington State registered in domestic partnerships. Gay and lesbian families need the domestic partnership law to provide essential protections for their families. Families with children need the protections provided by the domestic partnership law, especially when a parent dies. For seniors, domestic partnerships mean that their hard-earned Social Security, military or pension benefits are not put at risk. Vote APPROVE.

Supporters include: Equal Rights Washington, NOW Washington Chapter, National Women's Political Caucus of Washington, Fuse Washington, Washington CAN, SEIU Healthcare 775 NW, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, UFCW Local 21, M.L. King County Labor Council, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, Planned Parenthood Votes!, Washington Bus, American Federation of Teachers - Washington, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of King County, Casa Latina, Central Washington Progress, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Human Rights Campaign, Japanese American Citizens League, Washington State Bar Association, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Lutheran Public Policy Network of Washington State, Minority Executive Directors Coalition, OneAmerica, Statewide Poverty Action Network, UAW Local 4121, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Washington State Nurses Association, League of Women Voters of Washington, Washington Association of Churches, Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans, Washington State Senior Citizens' Lobby, Associated Ministries of Pierce County, Washington Education Association, and the League of Education Voters

Whatcom County

The future of Lake Whatcom, economic development and threatened agricultural lands are at stake in the races for seats on the Whatcom County Council. Three progressive candidates will work for you -- and not developers -- on these issues and deserve your vote.

Whatcom County Council, Position #1

Dan McShane

Non-Partisan
- Candidate's Web Site
Dan McShane is a progressive champion running for the Whatcom County Council District 1 position. A former county council member, McShane owns a geology and environmental consulting firm. In his previous stint on the Council, McShane led successful efforts to protect the Lake Whatcom Watershed, reduce sprawl and protect agricultural land from irresponsible development. This is an open seat being vacated by conservative Ward Nelson, making it a great opportunity to pick up a progressive seat on a divided Council.

Whatcom County Council, Position #2

Ken Mann

Non-Partisan
- Candidate's Web Site
Ken Mann is a property manager and historic building redeveloper in Whatcom County, as well as a local talk radio host. Mann is currently chairman of the Whatcom Planning Commission and is involved with the Downtown Renaissance Network & City Club. He lost an extremely close race two years ago to a conservative incumbent and it would be great to have him on the Council.

Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters, Progressive Majority, the Northwest Washington Central Labor Council, the Bellingham/Whatcom County Firefighters #106, Whatcom Democrats, and the Lummi Business Council.

Whatcom County Council, Position #3

Carl Weimer

Non-Partisan
- Candidate's Web Site
Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters

Whatcom County Council, At-Large

Laurie Caskey-Schreiber

Non-Partisan
- Candidate's Web Site
Laurie Caskey-Schreiber has served on the Whatcom County Council for District 2 and is now running for the at-large seat on the Council. Caskey-Schreiber has a proven track record of progressive policymaking and will continue to represent progressive values in a third term on the council. She works as an administrative service manager for the Sociology Department at Western Washington University and has a degree in communications. She also serves as a board member for the Northwest Clean Air Agency and the Opportunity Council. She has focused much of her eight years of council work on protecting Lake Whatcom, preserving and protecting farmland and supporting small businesses.

Supporters include: Washington Conservation Voters, Progressive Majority, and the Bellingham/Whatcom County Firefighters #106.

Other Cities and Jurisdictions

Relatively few progressive organizations evaluate candidates and make endorsements in cities. The candidates listed below have been endorsed by at least one progressive organization.