 A reminder that ballots for November’s general election are due this Tuesday, November 2. King County Elections recommends dropping your ballot in the mail by today (Friday) to make sure it gets postmarked in time to be counted. If you haven’t done that, it’s best to take your ballot to one of the 70+ ballot boxes across King County.
Find out more about the election and the location of your closest ballot drop box from King County Elections:
Honoring Kurt Triplett for his distinguished service
 On Tuesday, I had the pleasure and honor to award Kirkland resident Kurt Triplett with the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service, an award that recognizes individuals whose work has answered the question asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?”
For decades, Kurt Triplett has dedicated his life to public service across King County. Over the past 11 years, he has served as City Manager for Kirkland where, in early 2020, the community found itself in the national spotlight as the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Kurt took immediate, creative action when the first major outbreak of COVID-19 arose in Kirkland. He inspired confidence with his steadiness and led the community through evolving health responses while also helping people with the emotional toll of the early days of COVID-19.
His leadership then and throughout the pandemic has guided the city and its residents through challenging times, kept the Kirkland community safer, and provided an example for other jurisdictions. I want to thank him, and his team, for exemplary service to their community during this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.
Watch my remarks on Kurt's contributions and service here:
Week Without Driving wraps up
 As a part of the Week Without Driving Challenge, I spoke with non-drivers, Disability Rights Washington staff, State Senator Rebecca Saldaña, and KUOW reporter Amy Radil to learn more
Over the past week, I, and many other elected leaders across the region, participated in Disability Rights Washington’s Week Without Driving Challenge where we pledged to not use a car for seven days. The challenge also paired elected officials with non-drivers to better understand life without a car. I was fortunate to spend time with Tanisha Sepulveda from West Seattle, who can't drive her wheelchair on unkempt and broken local sidewalks, and Erica Clawson, who recently moved from Edmonds to Northgate so she could use light rail and get more places easier with her wheelchair.
It’s been an eye-opening week to see firsthand the ways our systems fail people with disabilities, youth, seniors and those who can't afford or don’t want to drive a car. It also affirmed to me that it doesn’t have to be this way – we can build a better transportation future.
Luckily, if we build a system where Tanisha can travel safely on sidewalks rather than street shoulders and where Erica can get where she needs to on transit, we’re building a transportation system that is safer, more climate friendly and better for everyone. As a member of the Sound Transit Board of Directors, a King County Councilmember overseeing the work of Metro Transit, and President of the Puget Sound Regional Council, I’m committed to continuing to work to build a transportation system that does just that.
Listen to KUOW's story about the Week Without Driving Challenge here:
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Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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