#waelex Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

No ‘Blue Wave’ In Washington As Late-Arriving Ballots Favor GOP Candidates For State Legislature

By Austin Jenkins November 9, 2020

Predictions of a possible “Blue Wave” in Washington state did not materialize last week, despite President Trump’s unpopularity among the electorate. As of Monday, he had received just under 39 percent of the vote to President-elect Joe Biden’s 58 percent.Read More

UPDATES: Jay Inslee Wins Reelection In Washington; More Northwest Election Results In Key Races

By NWPB News November 6, 2020

If Washington voters don't mail in ballots, they can return them in person to drop boxes like this one at the Yakima County Elections Office. CREDIT: ESMY JIMENEZ/NWPB

Election results are rolling in Tuesday night, but it's expected to take time to count all the ballots across the Northwest and many other states. Below are key races to watch, and links to resources and results from across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.Read More

‘Dry Side’ View: Inland Northwest Residents Anxiously Await Election Results

By Anna King November 5, 2020

Tattered American flags wave in the strong wind of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area on October 27, 2020. CREDIT: Anna King/N3

In the weeks leading up to the election, residents in five smaller areas around eastern Washington and Oregon spoke about how they were feeling. Now, as people are awaiting results, we checked in with a few.Read More

Election Results Viewer’s Guide: Why You May Need To Be Patient

By NPR News November 3, 2020

A poll worker helps K. Maki (left) fill out a provisional ballot at Park Tavern polling station on Tuesday in Atlanta, Ga. After a record-breaking early voting turnout, Americans head to the polls on the last day to cast their vote. CREDIT: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

You're probably anxious about the results, but patience may truly be a virtue on election night. Here's how to approach the evening.Read More

Why Washington Accepts Ballots Postmarked By Election Day Well Into November, Unlike Oregon

By Austin Jenkins October 28, 2020

A ballot drop box in Thurston County, Washington. While ballots must be returned to a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day, they can still be counted if they come in through the mail weeks later as long as they're postmarked by Election Day. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

Washington’s latitude about late-arriving ballots stands in stark contrast to Oregon, and more than half of states, where ballots must arrive by Election Day. In fact, by allowing ballots to still be counted nearly three weeks after the election, Washington has the most generous policy in the nation, according to a recent analysis.Read More

Two Democrats Running For Washington Lt. Governor Highlight Distinctions, Similarities In Debate

By Scott Leadingham October 23, 2020

Washington state Sen. Marko Liias, left, met with Congressman Denny Heck on Thursday, Oct. 22 for a statewide debate for lieutenant governor. CREDIT: NWPB/TVW

The two Puget Sound-region Democrats running to be Washington’s next lieutenant governor had the chance to distinguish themselves in a statewide debate Thursday night. Washington’s election system advances the top-two vote getters from the primary to the general election. Read More

Big-Time Spending Highlights Six Must-Watch Washington Legislative Races

By Austin Jenkins October 22, 2020

The Washington state capitol building in Olympia. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

In a year that seems all about the presidential election, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s happening down the ballot. In Washington, all nine statewide elected positions are up this year. But some of the fiercest action, and biggest spending, is happening in state legislative races.Read More

Newcomers, Up-And-Comers, And Almost Lifers: Your Guide To Washington’s Statewide Races

By Austin Jenkins October 21, 2020

Washington's August 4 primary ballot is chock full of candidates even though traditional campaigning has, in many cases, been put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. CREDIT: Washington Secretary of State's Office

Since 2011, Washington has been an all vote-by-mail state. This year, ballots will be mailed out no later than October 16. They must be returned to an official ballot drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked by that day. Election officials recommend voters use one of the nearly 500 official ballot drop boxes or voter centers statewide. Read More

With Elections Under The Microscope, Washington Has A Fierce Race For Secretary Of State

By Austin Jenkins October 16, 2020

Republican Kim Wyman, left, is seeking a third term as Washington Secretary of State. Democratic challenger Gael Tarleton is seeking to unseat Wyman.

For more than half a century, Republicans have had a lock on Washington’s Secretary of State’s office. This year, Democrats hope to end that five decade run by unseating incumbent Kim Wyman who’s seeking a third term.Read More

Washington Supreme Court Unanimously Strikes Down I-976, Tim Eyman’s $30 Car Tab Initiative

By NWPB News October 15, 2020

Professional initiative sponsor Tim Eyman, right, holds a photo from his first successful $30 car tabs initiative in 1999. Eyman says he has collected almost enough signatures to qualify a 2019 car tabs rollback initiative to the 2019 Legislature. CREDIT: AUSTIN JENKINS/N3

On Thursday, the state Supreme Court struck down Initiative 976, a measure Washington voters approved last November to reduce the cost of annual vehicle licensing fees. The measure has been on hold for nearly a year as legal challenges worked their way through the court system.Read More

Jay Inslee And Loren Culp Debate, Highlight Stark Differences In Race For Washington Governor

By NWPB News October 7, 2020

Incumbent Gov. Jay Inslee met with his GOP challenger, Republic Police Chief Loren Culp, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for a debate sponsored by the Washington State Debate Coalition and broadcast statewide.

Washington voters got their first glimpse of how the two candidates for Washington governor feel about the same issues at the same time. Two-term Gov. Jay Inslee met with his Republican challenger, Republic police chief Loren Culp, Wednesday night for a one-hour debate.Read More

How Loren Culp’s Book Tour Turned Into A Campaign For Washington Governor

By NWPB News October 4, 2020

Republican gubernatorial candidate Loren Culp greets the crowd at a rally in Arlington in Snohomish County on Aug. 22, 2020. CREDIT: Jason Redmond for Crosscut

When he applied to be a police officer 10 years ago, Loren Culp was 49. He had no experience in law enforcement, but said the job would fulfill a childhood dream. Six years later, the former construction business owner was promoted to police chief in Republic, a town of 1,100 people in northeastern Washington. In that role, Culp has managed a department that, at its peak, Read More

Former Washington State Auditor To Ask U.S. Supreme Court To Review His Convictions

By Austin Jenkins September 21, 2020

Former WA State Auditor Troy Kelley leaves the federal courthouse in Tacoma in 2016. Kelley's attorney says he plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review Kelley's conviction. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

The move comes after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month denied Kelley’s request for a rehearing of his case by all of the judges on that court. Previously, a three-judge panel rejected Kelley’s appeal seeking to overturn his convictions.Read More

‘We’re Ready’: Washington Election Officials Seek To Reassure Voters And Convince More To Register

By Austin Jenkins September 20, 2020

A person drops off a ballot for Washington state's primary election, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at a collection box at the King County Administration Building in Seattle. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

As President Donald Trump intensifies his attacks on the security of vote-by-mail, county auditors and state election officials sought Friday to reassure voters the state of Washington is well prepared to pull off the 2020 vote-by-mail election.Read More

With Chanting Fans And Lots Of Yard Signs, A Small-Town Police Chief Tries To Become Governor

By Austin Jenkins September 19, 2020

Republican candidate for Washington governor Loren Culp speaks at a protest rally in May 2020. CREDIT: Austin Jenkins/N3

Back in May, Culp was one of three dozen candidates running for Washington governor. A first-time candidate, he lacked the statewide name recognition of Tim Eyman, the anti-tax initiative promoter who was also running. But the police chief of Republic, population 1,100, in the northeast corner of the state seemed to have something the other candidates didn’t: a fired-up Read More

How To Register To Vote In Washington State: Everything You Need To Know For 2020

By NWPB News September 9, 2020

The 2020 Washington presidential primary ballot requires voters to select a party, which is new, and many people don't care for it. CREDIT: Scott Leadingham/NWPB

Whether you’re new to Washington state or just making sure you are fully prepared to vote in the Nov. 3 general election, here’s what you need to know about voting (plus lots of links for voters who live outside the state or have recently moved).Read More

In Washington, The Revolving Door Between State Public Service And Lobbying Is Well Greased

By Austin Jenkins September 2, 2020

Efforts to slow WA’s revolving door from state service to lobbying have been thwarted in recent years. That makes the state an outlier in not requiring a cooling off period. So how much does this happen? Read More

Security And Ballot Drop Boxes In Washington: How It Works

By NWPB News August 23, 2020

This ballot drop box in Pierce County is an example of one of the quarter-inch thick steel ballot drop boxes that local elections officials commissioned and designed with security in mind. CREDIT: Melissa Santos/Crosscut

Washington state has laws in place to prevent that. And the state, which has been all-vote-by-mail since 2011, has a decade of experience with ballot boxes that counters the president’s claims. Read More

Uniquely NW News: Reviewing Trends To Watch From Washington State’s 2020 Primary Election

By Scott Leadingham August 15, 2020

Washington’s all vote-by-mail Aug. 4 primary is in the books, with final results certified soon. And it revealed some noteworthy trends. Republican Loren Culp will be Gov. Jay Inslee’s opponent on the November ballot as Inslee seeks a rare third term. Read More

Washington’s August Primary Election Saw The Highest Turnout In Decades

By NWPB News August 12, 2020

In this Aug. 5, 2020, vote-by-mail ballots are shown in sorting trays at the King County Elections headquarters in Renton, Wash. As of Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, nearly 53% of the ballots have been processed, with just over 53,000 remaining. CREDIT: Ted S. Warren/AP

Voter turnout in the Washington state primary is usually low, and turnout in 2016 was just under 35%. But Republican Secretary of State Kim Wyman had still advised counties to plan for turnout that could potentially exceed 60%.Read More

Farmworker Safety Takes Center Stage In Race For Central Washington State House Seat

By Enrique Pérez de la Rosa August 8, 2020

Eduardo Castañeda-Díaz, the Democratic challenger in the race for Washington state House in the 13th Legislative District, leads a march down Mattawa’s main street July 29, 2020. CREDIT: Enrique Pérez de la Rosa/NWPB

In the Columbia Basin, the Democratic challenger for Washington state’s 13th Legislative District house seat has focused his message on farmworker safety and called for the boycott of fruit. It’s quite a move for a candidate in a district where the economy is dominated by agriculture.Read More

Washington Primary: Jay Inslee, Loren Culp Advance To General; Other Races Still Being Counted

By NWPB News August 5, 2020

The race for governor and lieutenant governor were among dozens of federal, statewide and local races that voters were deciding in the state’s top-two primary, in which the top two vote-getters advance to the November ballot, regardless of party. Last-minute voters had until 8 p.m. to drop their ballots off at drop off boxes around the state.Read More

Breaking Down Dynamics Of Washington’s Aug. 4 Primary, With A Crowded Race For Governor

By Austin Jenkins August 3, 2020

Washington state primary election ballot for the Aug. 4, 2020 all-vote-by-mail election. CREDIT: Scott Leadingham/NWPB

While turnout in November could easily top 80 percent, Washington’s August primary typically draws 40 percent or less of the electorate. We break down the dynamics of this year's unusual election season during the coronavirus pandemic.Read More

Washington State Sen. Joe Fain Concedes Tight Re-Election Race Amid Rape Accusation

By NWPB News November 9, 2018

Senate Republican floor leader Joe Fain, R-Auburn. CREDIT: TED WARREN

Washington State Senator Joe Fain conceded to his opponent, Mona Das, Friday night. It came after the latest vote tally, and an expected outside investigation into a rape accusation made in September.Read More

Two Washington Lawmakers Accused Of Sexual Misconduct: Manweller Wins; Fain In Tight Race

By NWPB News November 8, 2018

Washington state legislators Rep. Matt Manweller (R-Cle Elum), left, and Sen. Joe Fain (R-Auburn).

Matt Manweller and Joe Fain, two Washington legislators accused of sexual misconduct during their re-election campaigns, are seeing very different outcomes in their races this week. Read More

Democrats Make Gains In Washington Legislature, Many Races Too Close To Call

By Austin Jenkins November 7, 2018

Washington state Sen. Doug Ericksen was among the Republicans fighting to keep his seat after Tuesday’s election. AUSTIN JENKINS / N3 Listen It wasn’t a sweeping blue wave, but Democrats […]Read More

Washington 5th District Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Cruises to Victory, Claims Eighth Term

By Emily Schwing November 7, 2018

Cathy McMorris Rodgers gives her victory speech after claiming an eighth term as a US Representative for Washington's 5th District. Credit Emily Schwing/N3

Washington 5th Congressional District Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers beat Democratic challenger Lisa Brown in the 2018 Midterm election to claim her eighth term in the U.S. House. Read More

The Washington Election (And Others) Decided By A Single Vote (Or A Little More)

By NPR News November 4, 2018

Ballot drop boxes are stored for future use in a warehouse area of the King County Elections office in Renton, Wash. While Washington is one of just three states that conduct all of their elections by mail, it's the only one of those three that allows ballots to be postmarked by election day. CREDIT: ELAINE THOMPSON

Many Americans say they are disaffected with the system of politics and sit on the sidelines, especially in midterms. But not voting can have consequences: Just look at these races.Read More

Washington Voters Treating 2018 Midterms More Like A Presidential Election

By Paige Browning November 1, 2018

Gus Clark deposits his vote-by-mail ballot in a collection box in Seattle in the 2016 election. CREDIT: TED S. WARREN/AP

As Election Day nears, the voting data in Washington is looking more like a high-stakes, presidential year than a midterm election.Read More

$25M Poured Into Washington’s Tight 8th Congressional District Race

By NWPB News October 29, 2018

More than $25 million has poured into Washington state's 8th Congressional District race, making it one of the most expensive U.S. House contest in the country.Read More

Eastern Washington Congressional Candidates McMorris Rodgers And Brown Face Off In Final Debate

By Emily Schwing October 25, 2018

Washington 5th District Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, left, met Lisa Brown Oct. 24 in Walla Walla for their final debate before ballots are due Nov. 6th. The Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event, with NWPB presenting for broadcast.

During the debate, which was also carried live nationally on CSPAN, the candidates touched on one hot-button issue in Indian Country: violence against women.Read More

Across Washington, Election Framed As Choice Between ‘Trump Or Seattle’ Policies

By Austin Jenkins October 17, 2018

A woman wears a Seattle Seahawks jersey making reference to impeaching President Donald Trump as she takes part in a Women's March in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018. The march was one of dozens planned across the U.S. over the weekend. CREDIT: TED S. WARREN/AP

In statehouse races across Washington this year, there are two potential boogeymen: President Donald Trump and the city of Seattle. Democrats are counting on an anti-Trump bump while Republicans are running against the liberal policies of the state’s largest city.Read More

Want Election Results? On West Coast, Patience Is Required

By NWPB News October 10, 2018

If control of the U.S. House comes down to any of the competitive congressional races in Washington and California, the nation might have to wait days to learn the outcome.Read More