43rd District Dems draft a Resolution to put a Ballot Drop at UW

Not much happened at the 43rd District Democrats Endorsement Meeting last night (Endorsed: Bobby Forch, No on Eyman, No on Liquor Privatization, Yes on Families and Education, Yes on Home Health Care, School Board, etc...).

But one interesting idea did come to light via resolution: a formal request to King County Elections to put a ballot drop box on the University of Washington Campus.

According to the resolution, the University of Washington comprises what's effectively its own small city, with 40,000 students living on campus. In our most recent election, 3 (THREE!) out of 273 registered voters actually turned in a ballot.

Currently the closest ballot drop boxes are located on Sand Point Way and in downtown Seattle, each approximately 40 minutes by bus.  And even though all ballots are now returnable by mail, as a demographic, young people are increasingly going without mail and fail to own stamps.  (See also: the Post Office is broke.)

The proposed drop box on campus would surely increase voter turnout, and with close statewide elections on the horizon, an increased youth vote is crucial to ensuring we're represented by the right people.

The resolution was forwarded to King County Executive Dow Constantine, KC Elections Director Sherrill Huff, and all King County Councilmembers.  While the group hoped to get the ballot drop box set up before the November primary, proponents acknowledged realistically it would probably show up sometime before the next presidential election.

Voting Currently Requires Alternative Commuting