Voting Materials Now Available in Somali and Russian
Dear Neighbor,
If a person can’t understand their ballot, they’re less likely to vote, shutting them out of the cornerstone of our democracy – voting in our elections. Last week, the King County Council passed legislation I sponsored that would require King County Elections to translate all voting materials into Russian and Somali.
Voting materials and services are currently available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Korean. In January 2022, Elections transmitted the 2022 Language Access Report to the Council and recommended adding translated voting materials in Somali and Russian languages. The legislation we passed fulfills this recommendation.
At a time when voting rights are under attack around the country and we see efforts to restrict this basic fundamental pillar of democracy, efforts to expand voting access is especially important. In King County, under the leadership of our Election’s Director and our Executive and this Council, we’re striving to increase access to the ballot to make it easier for people to vote. To try and ensure that all people regardless of their language skills or cultural barriers can participate in this fundamental piece on which the rest of democracy is built.
PC: King County Elections
Youth Ride Free!
In 2022, I sponsored legislation that would allow youth under 18 to ride on public transit for free after the Legislature passed the Move Ahead Washington package. Washington is now the first state in the nation where youth can ride transit at no cost – all they need is a Youth ORCA card available at Free Youth Transit Pass. With school finishing for the year, now is a great time to remind out youth to get that ORCA card and head out for some safe fun with your friends.
Non-Best Starts for Kids Funding Opportunities
The Best Starts for Kids blog is now launching a new monthly blog series, highlighting funding opportunities from other agencies and organizations that support groups promoting health and well-being for our youth.
Please note that Best Starts is not involved in the applications or decisions of the funding opportunities and you should do your own research to ensure an opportunity is right for your organization.
Click here to view the full list of funding opportunities and details here.
Summer 2023 Events in South King County!
Summer is just around the corner! With South King County hosting a series of parades, concerts, farmers markets and festivals, please use my events webpage as a guide to experiencing the many fun events and activities available for the entire family to enjoy.
If there are events I missed and you would like to see added to the site, please email me at dave.upthegrove@kingcounty.gov.
Hope to see you this summer!
 Des Moines Farmers Market | PC: https://dmfm.org/
As always, I value your thoughts, ideas, and input. Please feel welcome to contact me via email at Dave.Upthegrove@kingcounty.gov.
You can watch Council meetings via livestream on the Council's website or on KCTV channel 22. We take general public comment on the 4th Tuesday of every month.
To learn more about testifying before Council go to: https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/committees/full_council.aspx
Sincerely,
Dave Upthegrove
King County Councilmember
District 5
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