The Progressive Voters Guide is an annual project of Fuse Washington. Since 2008, we've combined the endorsements of Washington's leading progressive organizations with research about candidates and ballot measures to give you the information you've been searching for to be an informed voter. More than 2.5 million Washingtonians have used the Progressive Voters Guide, and thousands come back each and every election for more of our thorough candidate research and trusted recommendations.
How do you choose which candidates and ballot measures to recommend?
Fuse staff research and compile the endorsements from our Progressive Voters Guide partner organizations, which are listed below. In most cases, we recommend candidates and ballot measures that have been endorsed by at least one of these partner organizations. In races where the endorsements are split, we strive to show voters which candidate has received the most support. We also seek input from partners and local community members to determine a candidate’s values and priorities.
You can read much more about the decision-making process behind our recommendations here.
While we cover more than 200 races in some years, unfortunately, we are not able to make recommendations for every candidate in every jurisdiction. If you believe we have omitted a key race or made an error, please let us know by using the “feedback” link above.
The Progressive Voters Guide is powered by Fuse WA and includes endorsements from the following partners:
Note that not all groups endorse in all races and ballot measures.
AFT Washington represents over 6,500 education professionals in early childhood education and Head Start, K-12 school-related personnel, and faculty, professionals, and classified members at two- and four-year colleges and universities. AFT Washington is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers which represents 1.5 million members in education, health care, and public employment.
Asian Pacific Islander Americans for Civic Empowerment (APACE) works for social and economic justice by transforming our democracy through grassroots political empowerment of the broad API community, sustaining a progressive voice to hold ourselves and our leaders accountable to the people.
The Washington Bus engages tomorrow's leaders on their own terms, and empowers them through education, civic and cultural engagement, and hands-on democracy. We take control of, and responsibility for, our own future by making sure our friends and peers are registered to vote, know the issues, and fill out their ballots.
Civic Alliance for a Progressive Economy (CAPE), is a political organization fighting to put Washington’s people back at the center of Washington’s economy. Founded by Working Washington, OneAmerica Votes, and Civic Action, CAPE is guided by the principle that economic justice is the primary cause of economic growth—that the more people we fully include in our economy, from every background and from every walk of life, the faster and more prosperous our economy will grow. CAPE will be issuing candidate ratings on a 5-star scale.
Equal Rights Washington is the state's leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights. ERW's mission is to ensure and promote dignity, safety and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Washingtonians.
Equal Rights Washington candidate endorsements are based on past voting records, candidate interviews, and other available information, including public statements of candidates. ERW is nonpartisan. ERW typically endorses in some statewide and some legislative races. ERW does not typically endorse in local races.
Inland Northwest Leadership advances political advocacy in Eastern Washington and promotes political organizing and candidacy as a necessary and fulfilling way to serve in our community. We champion candidates and causes that advance economic, social and reproductive justice.
The Latino Political Action Committee of Washington is a progressive organization of Latinos that was formed in 2005. Since its formation, the Latino PAC has screened and endorsed several state and city candidates. The Latino PAC is led by local Latino leaders and offers individuals and contributors an opportunity to work on advancing the political power and well being of all Latinos in Washington State.
The M. L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO, is the central body of labor organizations in King County, Washington. The core responsibilities of the M. L. King County Labor Council are to assist workers and their unions in the struggle for social and economic justice; support efforts to organize and bargain fair contracts; lobby, endorse and involve working people in the political process; advocate and support laws that protect working people; support community services outreach work; and unite with community allies who are also struggling for justice.
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. NOW has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Since its founding in 1966, NOW's goal has been to take action to bring about equality for all women. The National Organization for Women (NOW) Federal PAC endorses candidates for the federal elections and the WA State NOW PAC endorses candidates for local and state elections.
Black womxn have been the most consistent voters in the Democratic party and if the nation had followed their lead, we would be in a place where lives would have been saved, health care would be available to all, and schools and families would have the focus where it's needed: on the thriving of our incredible youth. Opportunity PAC seeks to provide financial and networking support to the campaigns of Black, Indigenous, and Womxn of color. We aim to ensure that more caring voices are part of critical policy decisions at all levels of government.
OneAmerica Votes is a membership organization with a mission to promote democracy and build power in immigrant and refugee communities by advocating for policies, developing leaders and electing candidates that strive for justice. All endorsed candidates have demonstrated leadership on issues that increase opportunities and improve the lives of immigrants, refugees and communities of color. OneAmerica Votes’ position on ballot measures and initiatives indicates whether an issue aligns with our values of strength in diversity; personal responsibility and shared accountability; and democracy and justice for all.
PPAGWNI is an independent non-profit, nonpartisan organization that educates residents and policy-makers about reproductive health issues in Washington and Idaho.
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Serving AK, HI, ID, IN, KY, and WA (PPAA) protects and promotes reproductive health, rights and justice. We do this by advocating for public policies that guarantee the right to choice and full and non-discriminatory access to reproductive health care, and fostering and preserving a social and political climate favorable to the exercise of reproductive choice through voter education, candidate endorsement and other means.
Pro-Choice Washington strives to elect pro-choice officials to secure, protect and strengthen reproductive freedom and choice. As a non-partisan organization we endorse candidates based solely on their support for a wide range of reproductive healthcare issues. Our endorsement process includes a candidate questionnaire followed by a personal interview between the candidate and our Political Action Committee.
Sage Leaders cultivates deep democracy in Washington state by developing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community leaders for civic and elected leadership. Our long-term goal is to build governments reflective of our communities, with the power to influence, lead, and govern within a Just Transition framework.
If a candidate is listed as being endorsed by SEIU, it includes endorsements by two or more of the following SEIU locals.
If you want laws protecting our environment, the only way to get them is to elect good lawmakers. The Washington State Chapter of the Sierra Club interviews candidates running for public office, endorsing those it believes will be environmental leaders. The committee then supports endorsed candidates with funds from Sierra Club Political Action Committees (PAC), either by direct contribution to candidates, or through Sierra Club volunteer-powered campaigns.
The Snohomish Ebony PAC (SEPAC) exists to increase the representation of African Americans in elected positions and to hold all elected officials accountable to our community, regardless of political party affiliation.
With unwavering integrity, Joint Council of Teamsters No. 28 empowers and supports our Local Unions and their membership across Washington, Alaska, and Northern Idaho. Through organizing, education, and political action we will expand the rights, wages, and benefits of working families. Moving forward, united as one.
The Urbanist was founded in early 2014 in order to examine and influence urban policies. We believe that cities provide unique opportunities for addressing many of the most difficult problems we face. Our website serves as a resource for sharing ideas, creating community, and improving the places we live.
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) 3000 was formed from the merger of UFCW 21 and UFCW 1439. It is the largest private-sector union in Washington, with over 50,000 members working in grocery store, retail, health care, cannabis, meat processing and other industry jobs in Washington, northeast Oregon, and northern Idaho. It represents more retail and grocery employees and more professional and technical health care employees than any other union in the state.
Washington Bikes endorses electoral candidates at all levels of government. Endorsement and support are given to candidates who commit to or have a record of making communities better for people on bikes — through growing local economies, improving health outcomes, or creating safer streets and roadways. Additionally, Washington Bikes makes endorsements of ballot measures which will benefit Washington communities through bolstering transportation choices, supporting outdoor recreation, and working to safely connect neighborhoods and cities.
With over 35,000 members, Washington CAN! is the state’s largest grassroots community organization. Together we work to achieve racial, social, and economic justice in our state and nation. Our strength as an organization depends on our members’ involvement. We believe that we can only achieve our goals when people take action for justice.
Washington Conservation Action (WCA) is the political voice for the environment. WCV ensures Washington’s decision makers keep our environment protected, healthy, and vibrant. Over the last 35 years, we have elected environmental champions, held our elected leaders to the highest standard, and built statewide momentum for environmental campaigns through innovative voter outreach efforts and community organizing. Through our work, WCV is committed to making sure all people in Washington state have a healthy environment and a strong, sustainable economy.
The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters (WSCFF) represents nearly 8000 affiliated members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). We advocate both locally and at the federal level for adequate training, safe working conditions, fair pay and benefits, and job security for the women and men serving in our profession.
No matter what type of job workers are in, strong unions allow workers to speak out for fairness for all working people in their communities and create better standards and a strong middle class across the country. Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28, the AFL-CIO and all unions envision a future in which work and all people who work are valued, respected and rewarded.
The Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund educates voters, promotes strategic public policy, and supports candidates who share our vision that all Washington residents have the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, affordable homes, in thriving communities.
Widely considered to be the “voice of labor” in our state, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, represents and provides services for hundreds of local unions and trade councils throughout Washington state. The WSLC’s core programs are legislative advocacy, political action, communications and media relations, and assistance with organizing campaigns. Learn more about the services we provide our affiliated unions and directly to workers.
