Progressive Voters Guide Powered by Fuse WA
VOTE APPROVED

Vote Yes for child care and early learning for Whatcom County

Building a resilient and sustainable community means making sure that all children can access the resources and services they need to thrive. Whatcom County Proposition 5, adopted by the county council earlier this year, represents a major investment in our children’s wellbeing and future.

The measure proposes to create a Healthy Children's Fund to support and expand early learning programs and child care countywide, and to provide additional services for kids who are vulnerable and at-risk, covered by a small property tax increase. These services are proposed in direct response to the growing needs in the county to increase affordable child care options, alleviate homelessness and the cycle of poverty, and ensure all our children are healthy and safe. The owner of a median $595,000 home in Whatcom county would pay approximately $9 per month to support these important services.

By giving our children the tools and support they need now, we reduce the need for other social supports later in life while building a stronger community for all. Vote “Yes” for Proposition 5 in Whatcom County.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Building a resilient and sustainable community means making sure that all children can access the resources and services they need to thrive. Whatcom County Proposition 5, adopted by the county council earlier this year, represents a major investment in our children’s wellbeing and future.

The measure proposes to create a Healthy Children's Fund to support and expand early learning programs and child care countywide, and to provide additional services for kids who are vulnerable and at-risk, covered by a small property tax increase. These services are proposed in direct response to the growing needs in the county to increase affordable child care options, alleviate homelessness and the cycle of poverty, and ensure all our children are healthy and safe. The owner of a median $595,000 home in Whatcom county would pay approximately $9 per month to support these important services.

By giving our children the tools and support they need now, we reduce the need for other social supports later in life while building a stronger community for all. Vote “Yes” for Proposition 5 in Whatcom County.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Whatcom County

Not in Whatcom County? Find your state's guide.

Election Day November 8, 2022
Find Drop Box Locations
Ballot Drop Boxes

Statewide Ballot Measures

Advisory Vote #39

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained for a sustainable climate future

This spring, Democrats in Olympia passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which included a small increase in aircraft fuel taxes. This change would raise an estimated $14 million in public revenue and help our state achieve its climate goals.

This bill was sponsored by some of Washington’s most progressive lawmakers and passed with a clear majority in the session. The legislation will help our state create a sustainable future where generations can thrive with clean air and water.

Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 39.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

This spring, Democrats in Olympia passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which included a small increase in aircraft fuel taxes. This change would raise an estimated $14 million in public revenue and help our state achieve its climate goals.

This bill was sponsored by some of Washington’s most progressive lawmakers and passed with a clear majority in the session. The legislation will help our state create a sustainable future where generations can thrive with clean air and water.

Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 39.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By The Stranger

Advisory Vote #40

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained for rideshare worker protections

Last session, lawmakers passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2076 which increases worker protections and rights for rideshare drivers.

The legislation, which had bipartisan support, requires that rideshare companies pay their drivers a minimum amount per trip, offer paid sick leave, and give compensation benefits. It is a positive step in the direction of protecting workers’ rights in the growing gig economy so that we all can afford the basics, be treated fairly in our place of work, and have the chance to succeed.

Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 40.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Last session, lawmakers passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2076 which increases worker protections and rights for rideshare drivers.

The legislation, which had bipartisan support, requires that rideshare companies pay their drivers a minimum amount per trip, offer paid sick leave, and give compensation benefits. It is a positive step in the direction of protecting workers’ rights in the growing gig economy so that we all can afford the basics, be treated fairly in our place of work, and have the chance to succeed.

Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 40.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By The Stranger

Federal

U.S. Senator

Patty Murray photo
Democrat

Patty Murray

Website Facebook Endorsements (Twitter)

Sen. Patty Murray has been a consistent and strong progressive voice in the U.S. Senate. She's seeking re-election to continue fighting for our basic rights and a better quality of life in Washington and beyond.

Murray was first elected in 1992 and has been a champion for veterans, working families, women, and economic opportunities for all. Before her tenure in the Senate, Murray worked as a preschool teacher, on the Shoreline School Board, and in the Washington state Senate.

During her time in Congress, Sen. Murray has worked hard to keep our communities safe from gun violence, protect abortion access at the federal level so that everyone has reproductive freedom, and expand access to affordable childcare. This year, she voted in support of the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and a slate of other progressive bills that invest in working communities so that our country is a place where everyone can thrive. Murray has earned an impressive and diverse coalition of endorsements from local and national organizations, elected leaders, and unions.

Sen. Murray faces Tiffany Smiley, a triage nurse running on a MAGA Republican platform. Smiley has never held public office but she previously worked on Capitol Hill. Her Trump-inspired agenda aims to divide us while she seeks to cut funding from our most essential services and repurpose it for a needless border wall and more militarized police forces. Working Washingtonians need real solutions so that we can access the basics like gas, groceries, rent, and prescription medicine – not MAGA rhetoric and tax breaks for the wealthy.

Sen. Patty Murray is a national leader on many of the most important issues facing our country. She has earned your vote for re-election.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Sen. Patty Murray has been a consistent and strong progressive voice in the U.S. Senate. She's seeking re-election to continue fighting for our basic rights and a better quality of life in Washington and beyond.

Murray was first elected in 1992 and has been a champion for veterans, working families, women, and economic opportunities for all. Before her tenure in the Senate, Murray worked as a preschool teacher, on the Shoreline School Board, and in the Washington state Senate.

During her time in Congress, Sen. Murray has worked hard to keep our communities safe from gun violence, protect abortion access at the federal level so that everyone has reproductive freedom, and expand access to affordable childcare. This year, she voted in support of the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and a slate of other progressive bills that invest in working communities so that our country is a place where everyone can thrive. Murray has earned an impressive and diverse coalition of endorsements from local and national organizations, elected leaders, and unions.

Sen. Murray faces Tiffany Smiley, a triage nurse running on a MAGA Republican platform. Smiley has never held public office but she previously worked on Capitol Hill. Her Trump-inspired agenda aims to divide us while she seeks to cut funding from our most essential services and repurpose it for a needless border wall and more militarized police forces. Working Washingtonians need real solutions so that we can access the basics like gas, groceries, rent, and prescription medicine – not MAGA rhetoric and tax breaks for the wealthy.

Sen. Patty Murray is a national leader on many of the most important issues facing our country. She has earned your vote for re-election.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Statewide

Secretary of State

Steve Hobbs photo
Democrat

Steve Hobbs

Website Facebook Endorsements Instagram (Twitter)

Democrat Steve Hobbs is running to retain his position as secretary of state for the remainder of the two-year term. He is a first-generation Japanese American and a 30-year member of the military, serving tours in Kosovo and Iraq before becoming a Lieutenant Colonel in the Washington Army National Guard.

Hobbs was appointed as secretary of state in November of last year after Kim Wyman resigned to join the Biden Administration. Prior to his appointment, he served four terms in the Washington state Senate representing the 44th Legislative District. His voting record was consistently progressive on social issues and leaned more conservative on taxes and workers' rights.

During his first 8 months in office, Hobbs has been laser-focused on protecting our electoral systems from attacks. He has used his background in national security to partner closely with the Department of Homeland Security to stop digital threats to our voting systems, both foreign and domestic. Hobbs also understands the challenge that misinformation poses to the integrity of our elections. He has been working to set up a division within his office specifically to combat misinformation and wants to work closely with social media companies to ensure they take down dangerous conspiracy theories.

As the pandemic recedes, Hobbs is committed to restarting his office's voter outreach program. He is very enthusiastic about a trusted messenger program he's launching to utilize community leaders to talk about the importance of voting. He also wants to improve outreach to reduce the racial disparities in rejected ballots because of signature mismatches.

The only issue of concern with Hobbs is his personal opposition to ranked choice voting. During our interview, he shared that he's concerned about implementing a complicated new voting system at a moment of low trust in our elections. In addition, he is concerned that voters like his mother, who speaks English as a second language, will have a difficult time learning and participating in the new system. Experts have reiterated that ranked choice voting is simple for all voters and has been used successfully on ballots in multiple languages.

Hobbs made a compelling case that the secretary of state must adapt to the new and complex challenges of running modern elections. Hobbs is a good choice if you're looking for someone with broad Democratic endorsements and with national security experience to safeguard and rebuild trust in our electoral system.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Democrat Steve Hobbs is running to retain his position as secretary of state for the remainder of the two-year term. He is a first-generation Japanese American and a 30-year member of the military, serving tours in Kosovo and Iraq before becoming a Lieutenant Colonel in the Washington Army National Guard.

Hobbs was appointed as secretary of state in November of last year after Kim Wyman resigned to join the Biden Administration. Prior to his appointment, he served four terms in the Washington state Senate representing the 44th Legislative District. His voting record was consistently progressive on social issues and leaned more conservative on taxes and workers' rights.

During his first 8 months in office, Hobbs has been laser-focused on protecting our electoral systems from attacks. He has used his background in national security to partner closely with the Department of Homeland Security to stop digital threats to our voting systems, both foreign and domestic. Hobbs also understands the challenge that misinformation poses to the integrity of our elections. He has been working to set up a division within his office specifically to combat misinformation and wants to work closely with social media companies to ensure they take down dangerous conspiracy theories.

As the pandemic recedes, Hobbs is committed to restarting his office's voter outreach program. He is very enthusiastic about a trusted messenger program he's launching to utilize community leaders to talk about the importance of voting. He also wants to improve outreach to reduce the racial disparities in rejected ballots because of signature mismatches.

The only issue of concern with Hobbs is his personal opposition to ranked choice voting. During our interview, he shared that he's concerned about implementing a complicated new voting system at a moment of low trust in our elections. In addition, he is concerned that voters like his mother, who speaks English as a second language, will have a difficult time learning and participating in the new system. Experts have reiterated that ranked choice voting is simple for all voters and has been used successfully on ballots in multiple languages.

Hobbs made a compelling case that the secretary of state must adapt to the new and complex challenges of running modern elections. Hobbs is a good choice if you're looking for someone with broad Democratic endorsements and with national security experience to safeguard and rebuild trust in our electoral system.

Last updated: 2023-04-05
Julie Anderson photo
Non-Partisan

Julie Anderson

Website Facebook Endorsements Instagram (Twitter)

Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson is running as an independent to bring a non-partisan voice to the secretary of state's office. Anderson served on the Tacoma City Council before running for county auditor in 2009 and winning re-election three times. As Pierce County auditor, which is a nonpartisan position, she has administered dozens of elections while also overseeing licensing and public record-keeping.

Anderson is running because she believes political parties shouldn't be involved in running elections they are simultaneously trying to win. Her campaign priorities include supporting more local races becoming non-partisan, increasing access to voting and election information, and improving election security. She wants to translate the voters' pamphlet into 10 languages, going beyond what is mandated by the Voting Rights Act. She also wants to conduct risk-limiting audits in all 39 Washington counties and "pre-bunk" rumors to increase confidence in our state's election systems.

During our interview, Anderson expressed support for ranked choice voting because she believes it will allow candidates to break through our two-party political system. This is one of the biggest points of difference between Anderson and Hobbs.

Anderson offers voters an experienced option if they are looking for a nonpartisan administrator to manage our state's elections and support ranked choice voting.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson is running as an independent to bring a non-partisan voice to the secretary of state's office. Anderson served on the Tacoma City Council before running for county auditor in 2009 and winning re-election three times. As Pierce County auditor, which is a nonpartisan position, she has administered dozens of elections while also overseeing licensing and public record-keeping.

Anderson is running because she believes political parties shouldn't be involved in running elections they are simultaneously trying to win. Her campaign priorities include supporting more local races becoming non-partisan, increasing access to voting and election information, and improving election security. She wants to translate the voters' pamphlet into 10 languages, going beyond what is mandated by the Voting Rights Act. She also wants to conduct risk-limiting audits in all 39 Washington counties and "pre-bunk" rumors to increase confidence in our state's election systems.

During our interview, Anderson expressed support for ranked choice voting because she believes it will allow candidates to break through our two-party political system. This is one of the biggest points of difference between Anderson and Hobbs.

Anderson offers voters an experienced option if they are looking for a nonpartisan administrator to manage our state's elections and support ranked choice voting.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: Teamsters Joint Council 28 , Teamsters 117 , UFCW 3000 , Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility

State Supreme Court

Justice, Position #1

Mary Yu photo

Mary Yu

Website Endorsements

Justice Mary Yu is running unopposed to continue serving on the state Supreme Court. Yu was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2014, elected by voters to the seat later that year, and re-elected in 2016. Before joining Washington’s highest court, she spent 14 years as a trial court judge in King County Superior Court and earlier as the deputy chief of staff to former King County prosecutor Norm Maleng.

Yu has an unimpeachable reputation and has been rated “exceptionally well qualified” by a number of key bar associations. On the court, she has been a voice for equal justice and upholding the rights of all. Now, she is running with endorsements from all of her fellow justices as well as a number of retired justices from the court.

Justice Yu deserves your vote to continue serving as one of Washington’s state Supreme Court justices.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Justice Mary Yu is running unopposed to continue serving on the state Supreme Court. Yu was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2014, elected by voters to the seat later that year, and re-elected in 2016. Before joining Washington’s highest court, she spent 14 years as a trial court judge in King County Superior Court and earlier as the deputy chief of staff to former King County prosecutor Norm Maleng.

Yu has an unimpeachable reputation and has been rated “exceptionally well qualified” by a number of key bar associations. On the court, she has been a voice for equal justice and upholding the rights of all. Now, she is running with endorsements from all of her fellow justices as well as a number of retired justices from the court.

Justice Yu deserves your vote to continue serving as one of Washington’s state Supreme Court justices.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Justice, Position #5

Barbara Madsen photo

Barbara Madsen

Website Endorsements

Justice Barbara Madsen has served on the state Supreme Court for 30 years and is running unopposed for re-election this year. She was only the third woman to serve on the court when she was first elected in 1992. During her time on the court, her fellow justices elected her the 55th chief justice of the court – a position she held for 7 years.

Having spent her career in both prosecution and public defense, Madsen has extensive knowledge of the criminal legal system and a passion for serving her community. Her re-election has been endorsed by each of her fellow justices and a wide range of other judicial leaders and community organizations.

Justice Madsen has served the state with fair and equal justice. She deserves your vote to remain in her seat on Washington’s Supreme Court.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Justice Barbara Madsen has served on the state Supreme Court for 30 years and is running unopposed for re-election this year. She was only the third woman to serve on the court when she was first elected in 1992. During her time on the court, her fellow justices elected her the 55th chief justice of the court – a position she held for 7 years.

Having spent her career in both prosecution and public defense, Madsen has extensive knowledge of the criminal legal system and a passion for serving her community. Her re-election has been endorsed by each of her fellow justices and a wide range of other judicial leaders and community organizations.

Justice Madsen has served the state with fair and equal justice. She deserves your vote to remain in her seat on Washington’s Supreme Court.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Justice, Position #6

G. Helen Whitener photo

G. Helen Whitener

Website Facebook Endorsements

Justice G. Helen Whitener is running unopposed for re-election to Position 6 on Washington’s Supreme Court. Whitener became the first Black woman to serve on the state’s Supreme Court in April 2020 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy by Gov. Inslee. Later that year, she won her election to fill the remainder of the term. Prior to joining the Washington Supreme Court, Whitener served on the Pierce County Superior Court and worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney before becoming a judge.

Justice Whitener is both a Trinidadian immigrant and openly gay, and has worked to be a representative voice for justice for all in the state’s highest court. In this race, she has earned the endorsement of each one of her fellow justices as well as some retired justices. Whitener has been rated as "exceptionally well-qualified" by a number of bar associations and has done an exceptional job since joining the court.

Whitener is an important voice on the State Supreme Court and deserves your voice to continue serving as a justice in Position 6.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Justice G. Helen Whitener is running unopposed for re-election to Position 6 on Washington’s Supreme Court. Whitener became the first Black woman to serve on the state’s Supreme Court in April 2020 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy by Gov. Inslee. Later that year, she won her election to fill the remainder of the term. Prior to joining the Washington Supreme Court, Whitener served on the Pierce County Superior Court and worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney before becoming a judge.

Justice Whitener is both a Trinidadian immigrant and openly gay, and has worked to be a representative voice for justice for all in the state’s highest court. In this race, she has earned the endorsement of each one of her fellow justices as well as some retired justices. Whitener has been rated as "exceptionally well-qualified" by a number of bar associations and has done an exceptional job since joining the court.

Whitener is an important voice on the State Supreme Court and deserves your voice to continue serving as a justice in Position 6.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Public Utility District 1 (Whatcom County PUD)

Commissioner, District #3

Jaime Arnett photo

Jaime Arnett

Website

Former Blaine City Councilmember Jaime Arnett is running for Whatcom County Public Utility District (PUD) in the commissioner 3 seat. Arnett runs a local company that connects people with animals as a form of mental and behavioral therapy. She also works on community housing issues through Habitat for Humanity and previously worked in the local commercial fishing industry.

If elected, Arnett would represent a progressive voice on the PUD. Her impressive goals for office include bringing free broadband to the county, safeguarding our clean air and water, ensuring responsible and sustainable fishing, and protecting the Nooksack River. With her commercial fishing background and her proven track record of community leadership, Arnett is equipped to advocate for these community issues effectively and collaboratively, while building good communication with the public.

Also in this race is Eric Davidson, a current Blaine City Council member and registered nurse. Davidson is running on a more vague platform to safeguard Whatcom’s public utilities and he lacks a campaign website as of late September.

We recommend Jaime Arnett in this race to bring a strong, progressive voice to the Whatcom County PUD as commissioner 3.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Former Blaine City Councilmember Jaime Arnett is running for Whatcom County Public Utility District (PUD) in the commissioner 3 seat. Arnett runs a local company that connects people with animals as a form of mental and behavioral therapy. She also works on community housing issues through Habitat for Humanity and previously worked in the local commercial fishing industry.

If elected, Arnett would represent a progressive voice on the PUD. Her impressive goals for office include bringing free broadband to the county, safeguarding our clean air and water, ensuring responsible and sustainable fishing, and protecting the Nooksack River. With her commercial fishing background and her proven track record of community leadership, Arnett is equipped to advocate for these community issues effectively and collaboratively, while building good communication with the public.

Also in this race is Eric Davidson, a current Blaine City Council member and registered nurse. Davidson is running on a more vague platform to safeguard Whatcom’s public utilities and he lacks a campaign website as of late September.

We recommend Jaime Arnett in this race to bring a strong, progressive voice to the Whatcom County PUD as commissioner 3.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Lynden Ballot Measures

Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.

Lynden City Proposition #2022-4

VOTE YES

Vote YES for Lynden street improvements

Well-maintained roads, bridges, and sidewalks are a crucial part of a connected, modern city. Voters last approved an increase in the sales tax a decade ago, when a 0.2% increase was used to help make improvements to local streets, sidewalks, and trails.

Proposition 2022-4 seeks to renew the 0.2% increase in the sales and use tax solely to support the Transportation Benefit District. This funds repair and improvement projects in local project areas covered by state funding, such as traffic safety improvements, sidewalk repair, bike lanes, bridge repair, street reconstruction, and more.

With several million dollars of improvements needed to repair the city's streets and sidewalks, these funds are a crucial investment for all who work, play, live in, and visit Lynden. Vote YES to approve Proposition 2022-4 and help build safer roads and infrastructure for all residents.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Well-maintained roads, bridges, and sidewalks are a crucial part of a connected, modern city. Voters last approved an increase in the sales tax a decade ago, when a 0.2% increase was used to help make improvements to local streets, sidewalks, and trails.

Proposition 2022-4 seeks to renew the 0.2% increase in the sales and use tax solely to support the Transportation Benefit District. This funds repair and improvement projects in local project areas covered by state funding, such as traffic safety improvements, sidewalk repair, bike lanes, bridge repair, street reconstruction, and more.

With several million dollars of improvements needed to repair the city's streets and sidewalks, these funds are a crucial investment for all who work, play, live in, and visit Lynden. Vote YES to approve Proposition 2022-4 and help build safer roads and infrastructure for all residents.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Nooksack Valley School District

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below school district races on your ballot.

Nooksack Valley School District Proposition #7

VOTE YES

Vote Approved for new Nooksack Valley school districts

The Nooksack Valley School District Board wants to adapt the board structure to best serve the diverse needs of the district and ensure everyone is represented. Prompted by demographic changes and new data for the school district, the school board directors have agreed on a plan to reapportion the director districts.

The Nooksack Valley School District Proposition 7 proposes to dissolve the five director districts into three distinct director districts and two new at-large seats, keeping the total number of seats at five. This new arrangement would give voters more of a say for who sits on the board.

Vote “Approved” on Nooksack Valley School District Proposition 7.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

The Nooksack Valley School District Board wants to adapt the board structure to best serve the diverse needs of the district and ensure everyone is represented. Prompted by demographic changes and new data for the school district, the school board directors have agreed on a plan to reapportion the director districts.

The Nooksack Valley School District Proposition 7 proposes to dissolve the five director districts into three distinct director districts and two new at-large seats, keeping the total number of seats at five. This new arrangement would give voters more of a say for who sits on the board.

Vote “Approved” on Nooksack Valley School District Proposition 7.

Last updated: 2023-04-05