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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.
City of Yakima
Election Info: Yakima County Auditor
Ballots must be returned by Tuesday, November 3rd.
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Voters Guide Partners
Statewide Ballot Measures
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Initiative 1033: Making Tough Times Worse
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
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Referendum No. 71: Keep the Domestic Partnership Law
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
City of Yakima
Yakima City Council, Position #1
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Paul George
Non-Partisan
- No Candidate Web Site
Paul George, a horse racing executive and former Mayor of Yakima, is challenging recent council appointee Maureen Adkison. George has dedicated his life to promoting progressive policies and candidates in the Yakima Valley. He now serves by gubernatorial appointment as chairman of the Washington Horse Racing Commission. A strong supporter of quality of life issues, George was a driving force behind the expansion of Kiwanis Park and revitalization efforts in downtown Yakima. After his term as Mayor expired, he served as Chairman of the Yakima County Democrats.
Supporters include: Yakima Teamsters #760, Carpenters local #770, Yakima Firefighters IAFF #469
Yakima City Council, Position #5
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Sonia Rodriguez was named last December to fill a vacancy on the council created by the resignation of Norm Johnson. She is believed to be the first Latino to serve on the council in its 122-year history. An attorney and civic leader, Rodriguez has served as a member of the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association, on the association's Commission on Domestic Violence, as chair of the association's Pre Law Leadership Conference, and as a board member for the YWCA of Yakima. She's also been on the boards of the Washington State Hispanic Bar Association, the Annie Wright Alumnae Association, and Rural Community Development Resources.
Supporters include: National Women's Political Caucus of Washington, LPAC, and Yakima Firefighters IAFF #469
Yakima City Council, Position #7
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Ben Soria
Non-Partisan
- No Candidate Web Site
Ben Soria is a strong progressive challenger running against conservative incumbent Bill Lover. Soria spent nine years as the Superintendent of the Yakima School District, where he reduced the dropout rate and improved student achievement. During his tenure the district was recognized nationally for its progressive approach to education and Soria for his visionary leadership. The Washington State Senate also honored Soria for his outstanding service as Superintendent. He is active in Yakima as a board member of the Ready by Five organization. Soria's opponent is considered by many to be a micromanager without much vision.
Supporters include: LPAC, Progressive Majority, Central Washington Progress, Yakima Firefighters IAFF #469, Carpenters Local #770, Teamsters Local #760
