By The Herald Editorial Board
Voters should have received their ballots for the Nov. 6 General Election.
Ballots must be returned to county election ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. Nov. 6 or they can be returned through the U.S. Postal Service but must be postmarked no later than Nov. 6. For this election, it is not necessary to place postage on your ballot envelope.
For more voting instructions, go to the Snohomish County Elections website or call 425-388-3444.
An online version of the Voters’ Pamphlet for Snohomish County voters is available online at tinyurl.com/SnoCoVoterGuide.
The Herald Editorial Board made the recommendations below (follow the link for the full editorials) prior to the Aug. 7 primary election or Tuesday’s General Election:
Initiative 1631 would impose a fee on carbon emissions. A yes vote recommended: “After years of rejected proposals to address carbon emissions, I-1631 will begin to make an honest effort at reducing carbon emissions and taking seriously the threat of climate change.”
Initiative 1634 would bar local government from imposing a new or increased tax on food and beverages. A no vote recommended: It’s “unnecessary — and undemocratic — to give the state’s voters the opportunity to impose their will on individual communities. The state’s voters shouldn’t be the ones to decide local tax policy in Everett or Edmonds, in Gold Bar or Darrington. Those communities should make their own decisions on local taxes, as they always have.”
Initiative 1639 would address state laws on firearms. A yes vote is recommended: “What trigger locks, gun safes and other storage would provide is greater safety, especially in homes with children.”
Initiative 940 would adopt a new deadly force standard for police and require additional deescalation training. A no vote is recommended: “Voting no on I-940 with the hope the Legislature quickly adopts the compromise requires a leap of faith, but one that is necessary to adopt legislation that can perform as intended and would survive a potential legal challenge.”
Snohomish County Proposition 1 would increase the sales tax to fund replacement of the county’s Emergency Radio System, 10 cents on a $100 purchase. A yes vote is recommended: “This tax is especially significant because of the good it can do and the basic necessity of what it will provide in delivering emergency response when we call for it, not only protecting our lives and property but the lives and safety of every first responder in the county.”
U.S. Senate: Maria Cantwell: “Cantwell, even when operating from within the minority, has remained an effective legislator, helping craft bills when there has been bipartisan agreement and arguing against policy when it wouldn’t be beneficial to her constituents.”
U.S. House
District 1: Suzan DelBene: “Given the chance to be part of a Democratic majority and a voice for good governance and fair debate of issues, we expect DelBene to show herself as a leader in Congress.”
District 2: Rick Larsen: “With nearly 18 years of service, Larsen has developed a keen ability for listening to his constituents and taking their concerns back to Washington, D.C. The editorial board recommends voters give Larsen a 10th term.”
Legislative District 1
House, Position 1: Derek Stanford: “Stanford’s record of past accomplishments in the House qualifies him for re-election.”
House, Position 2: Shelley Kloba: “Kloba, in her first term, has demonstrated knowledge on education issues and a commitment to student needs and the larger needs of her district constituents.”
Legislative District 10
House, Position 1: Norma Smith: “Smith is a lawmaker who is able to think ahead regarding the needs of her district and the state and should be re-elected to a sixth term.”
House, Position 2: Dave Hayes: “Hayes has proved himself an effective lawmaker, who should continue to represent his district.”
Legislative District 21
Senate: Marko Liias: “It’s difficult to match Liias in terms of breadth of legislative issues.”
House, Position 1: Strom Peterson: “Peterson has shown himself as one of the region’s most effective lawmakers and should be returned to his seat.”
House, Position 2: Lillian Ortiz-Self: Ortiz-Self’s work (as a school counselor) allows her an detailed view into the emotional needs of students and their families, a useful perspective for the Legislature.”
Legislative District 32:
Senate: Jesse Salomon: “Salomon’s legislative experience on the Shoreline council, his work in courts on child welfare issues and other legal matters give him a solid background to serve in the Senate on those issues and others.”
House Position 1: Cindy Ryu: “Ryu has served her district well and has necessary experience on issues of community development, housing and tribal affairs as chairman of the House committee on those issues.”
House, Position 2: Lauren Davis: “While she is making her first run for political office, Davis is no stranger to public policy or the legislative process. … Davis shepherded ‘Ricky’s Law’ through the Legislature in 2016, which has provided a process for involuntary treatment of those with substance abuse disorders.”
Legislative District 38
Senate: John McCoy: “McCoy doesn’t over-promise, but has shown he can finish what he starts. He deserves a second term in the Senate.”
House, Position 1: June Robinson: “Robinson has demonstrated skill and confidence in moving informed legislation through the House and should be returned to office by voters.”
House, Position 2: Mike Sells: Sells is running unopposed.
Legislative District 39
Senate: Keith Wagoner: “Wagoner demonstrated independence and careful consideration as a senator as one of only two area lawmakers who voted against legislation that would have largely exempted legislators from the state’s Public Records Act.”
House, Position 1: Ivan Lewis: “Lewis, promising a focus on issues vital to families in the district, said he wants to address the state’s regressive tax system, which places a heavier burden on working families and small businesses.”
House, Position 2: Carolyn Eslick: Following her appointment to a vacancy, “Eslick has been able to draw on a decade of past leadership as Sultan’s mayor, including a crucial role on a coalition to win funding for safety improvements on U.S. 2.”
Legislative District 44
Senate: Steve Hobbs: “The board finds Hobbs generally looks for consensus as a senator and is able to work cooperatively with Republicans, something that the district and the region need as a solution is sought to an aging U.S. 2 trestle.”
House, Position 1: John Lovick: “Of all the offices in which he’s served, legislator may be most in his wheelhouse, drawing on his past experience in law enforcement and in working cooperatively with fellow Democrats and Republicans. Reflecting that respect, Lovick again was elevated to speaker pro tem following his return to the House.”
House, Position 2: Jared Mead: “Mead, a Mill Creek City Council member, at 27, would be the youngest member of the Legislature if elected. But he brings some experience with him. Along with his council experience and work with the city’s planning commission, Mead also benefits from time as a legislative assistant to 1st District Sen. Guy Palumbo, D-Maltby.”
Snohomish County Public Utility District
Commissioner, District 1: Sid Logan: “With the departure of Kathy Vaughn at Position 2 after 24 years of service, the PUD board would benefit from Logan having had more than a year to get up to speed as a commissioner, as well as his commitment to ratepayers and the PUD’s programs in providing financial assistance to low-income families and promoting solar installations at homes and businesses within the district.”
Commissioner, District 2: Rebecca Wolfe: “Wolfe would be an advocate on the PUD board for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, even as the PUD pushes to increase that portfolio past the current rate of 98 percent from hydropower and renewable sources.”
City of Everett
City Council, Position 4: Tyler Rourke: “Rourke seems most open to some of the tougher choices the council will have to make regarding the support of city services and amenities and how those could best continue. Rourke impresses with his talent for analysis, leadership and reasoned consideration of issues.”
Proposition 1 and 2: The editorial board recommends a yes vote on Proposition 1 and Option B (Four council districts and three at-large positions: “Electing four city council members by districts and three at-large provides the best mix of that representation while retaining a larger perspective on the issues that all Everett residents share.”
Proposition 3: The measure would increase the city’s Emergency Medical Service property tax levy to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value: A yes vote is recommended: “Because of the decrease in the levy rate, the fire department now faces a shortfall of about $1 million, said Fire Chief Dave DeMarco. The department runs lean, DeMarco said, but it can’t continue to operate under that deficit without a loss of service to the city’s residents.”
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