Protesters slam Electoral College

Associated Press

SEATTLE – “Democracy is worth the wait,” chanted a crowd of more than 100 people Saturday in protest of irregularities in the unresolved U.S. presidential election.

People outside Seattle Central Community College on Capitol Hill grabbed a bullhorn one at a time to speak out against the Electoral College and problems with Tuesday’s election before marching through downtown Seattle under police escort.

“We in Seattle stand for democracy,” Mark Taylor-Canfield told the cheering crowd. “And we are not going to go away without a fight.”

Clear across the country, Florida and its 25 electoral votes will decide who becomes the next president.

Republican George W. Bush has won 29 states for 246 electoral votes. Democrat Al Gore has won 19 states, including Washington, plus the District of Columbia for 262 electoral votes. The next president needs 270 for victory.

The idea of the demonstration in Seattle spread through a Web site, geocities.com/countercoup, which listed other cities around the United States where similar protests were planned for Saturday.

People were angry that the Electoral College could swing the presidency to Bush. Many chanted “Listen to the vote of the people” and waved signs reading “One person, one vote” and “Got democracy?”

“The whole Electoral College is not democratic,” said Darrin Hoop, a 26-year-old UPS driver from Seattle. “If Gore won the popular vote, he should be president.

Incomplete national vote totals show Gore leading in the popular vote with a slim margin.

Other issues raised at the demonstration included claims that Palm Beach County, Fla., ballots were confusing and many people who intended to vote for Gore accidentally voted for Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan. In that county, Buchanan received more than 3,000 votes.

One protester carried a sign of a ballot with a straight arrow pointed at Bush, with an unreadable maze of lines to the rest of the candidates.

Others suggested a conspiracy involving Jeb Bush, the governor of Florida who is the younger brother of George W. Bush, although Jeb Bush removed himself from the official certification of the election.

“I do realize he did take himself out of it,” said Bryan Middleton, 25, of Seattle. “I can’t speak to all those who work for him.”

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

‘Courageous’ teen dives into Silver Lake to rescue 11-year-old

Gauge Bryant, 13, brought the child to the surface. The 11-year-old is in stable but critical condition, authorities said.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.