 It’s time to vote!
 This weekend marks the last few days before the August 1 Primary. King County Elections projects a 35% turnout for the August 1 primary election, or about 480,000 ballots returned.
As of today, voter turnout sits a little over 14% of active registered voters - which is right in line with what is expected for a 35% voter turnout, but it would be great for voters to blow that projection out of the water and have everyone make their voices heard! Interested in tracking ballot return statistics? Track the data from King County Elections:
King County Elections will open its satellite Vote Center locations across the county tomorrow on Saturday, July 29. Locations in Bellevue, Federal Way, Kenmore, Kent, Renton, and Seattle will serve voters who still need to register to vote or update their registration, as well as use an assistive voting unit or simply get a replacement ballot. Find the full list here:
Finally, be sure to get your ballots in the mail ASAP. Better yet, use one of the 76 ballot drop boxes located across King County. Find the nearest one to you here:
The push to get ‘forever chemicals’ out of King County wastewater discharges into Puget Sound
 "Orca Family" by DrTH80 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
On the heels of a report that found an increasing number of “forever chemicals” in King County’s wastewater effluent being discharged into Puget Sound, last week, King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles and I introduced legislation aiming to curtail those chemicals that could potentially affect the health of Southern Resident Orca whales.
Often called “forever chemicals,” toxins such as PCB’s and PFAS do not break down in the environment, in animals, or in humans, and have been shown to impair immune function and cause cancer and other serious diseases in humans. They can also harm aquatic life, birds, and mammals, including contributing to the decline of Puget Sound’s endangered Southern Resident Orcas.
To preserve the health of people, animals, and the environment, it is imperative that we get and keep these chemicals out of our waterways. With this legislation, we take the next step to identify and develop strategies to keep these chemicals from harming our region's habitats, wildlife, and residents.
It's Disability Pride Month
 Each year, July is observed as Disability Pride Month to mark the anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disability Act. It’s an important opportunity to honor the history, accomplishments, and experiences of people with disabilities, as well as to recognize the continued struggle of people with disabilities against stereotypes, misconceptions, and discrimination.
I was proud to lead the King County Council in proclaiming July 2023 as Disability Pride Month in King County. One of the leading disability advocacy groups in our community, the Arc of King County, joined me in making the proclamation. Learn more about Disability Pride Month and the Arc of King County, including advocacy, services, and support for people with disabilities:
 Sammamish River Trail. Photo: King County Parks
The King County Council begins its summer two-week recess on Monday and will return the week of August 14. This regular weekly email will also pause and resume August 18. In the meantime, if you’re able to get out, visit some of King County’s fantastic local and regional parks!
Spread the word!
Please forward this email widely and invite others to sign-up to my email updates to receive important and timely information for District 6 constituents.
Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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