Earlier this week, fires were set at ballot drop boxes in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR. With only days to go until an historic election day, these were clear attempts to intimidate voters, instill doubt about elections security, and ultimately silence the voices of voters. Don’t let these fear tactics work.
In the aftermath of these attacks, I joined King County Elections Director Julie Wise, Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall, Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion, US Attorney Tessa M. Gorman, and FBI Acting Special Agent Greg Austin to release a statement reiterating our commitment to make voting safe, our long-standing elections security measures, and a commitment to holding anyone interfering with the integrity of our elections accountable. We are also implementing additional measures to safeguard your ballots, including additional pick-ups to minimize the time that ballots spend in the boxes and security on Election Day.
Voting is a sacred right and our duty as American citizens. Our vote by mail system is safe and secure. Make your voice heard by mailing your ballot back (no postage necessary, but it must be postmarked by Election Day) or dropping it in a drop box by 8:00 pm on Election Day
A reminder: if your ballot hasn’t arrived, you can call 206-296-VOTE (8683) to request a replacement ballot.
If you aren’t registered but are eligible to vote, you can still register at a vote center location up until 8:00 pm on Election Day! If you need assistance to vote, trained staff and specialized equipment are available at vote centers, too. The Eastside vote center is at Crossroads Community Center in Bellevue. It is open:
- Saturday, November 2, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Monday, November 4, 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Election Day, November 5, 8:30 am – 8:00 pm
And don’t forget to track your ballot through King County Elections’ ballot tracker to ensure your vote is counted.
If you’ve been on I-90 between Seattle and the Eastside in the last couple of weeks, you may have spotted a sight more mythical than Sasquatch and more yearned for than the return of the Sonics: a light rail train on or near the bridge between Bellevue and Mercer Island!
Sound Transit is beginning the initial phase of testing of trains on a portion of the I-90 tracks as a precursor to opening light rail between Seattle and the Eastside. While these are early, passengerless tests, it’s an exciting milestone as we get closer to finally opening the entirety of East Link. I can’t wait!
Come celebrate Dia de los Muertos! On Friday, November 1 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Centro Cultural Mexicano (7945 Gilman Street, Redmond) will host an event in honor of Dia de los Muertos, or "Day of the Dead”. This celebration, an opportunity to remember loved ones who have passed on and come together as a community, will feature live music, food, dancing, and an exhibition of local art. You can also get a free COVID vaccination at the site to help keep our community safe and healthy.
On Saturday, November 2, Diwali: Lights of India will be held at the Seattle Center Armory (305 Harrison St, Seattle) from 12:00 – 6:00 pm. Enjoy a full-day schedule of events, including youth performances, dance ensembles, classical Indian music, and educational talks. Beyond these scheduled events, the festival will also give visual artists and traditional storytellers the chance to share their creations with you. For even more interactive fun, there are crafts and puzzles available all day for all ages!
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