As they say in old Ballard…uff da! Fewer than 35% of registered voters in King County cast a ballot in August’s primary. With so many important local races this election, we’re here to help boost those numbers.
Our 2025 General Election Seattle & King County Video Voters’ Guide makes voting easier and less overwhelming. In two-minute statements, hear directly from candidates in 17 races, including King County Executive, King County Council, Seattle Mayor, City Attorney, City Council, and School Board. You’ll also hear from speakers both for and against King County Proposition 1 and Seattle Propositions 1 and 2.
Ballots are hitting mailboxes soon! With a rainy weekend ahead, it’s the perfect time to pour a cup of coffee, cozy up in flannel, open your ballot, and pull up our guide. Just don’t forget to return it or drop it in a ballot box by Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.!
Get the full picture on key races with City Inside/Out team
Every election season, Seattle Channel’s City Inside/Out team, led by host Brian Callanan, brings candidates to the studio to answer your questions and share their vision for our city and county’s future. These in-depth, 30-minute debates give you a closer look at the people shaping the policies important to you. Watch, compare, and get informed before you cast your vote!
📍 King County Executive: Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay make their case to lead one of nation’s most populous counties.
📌 Seattle Mayor: Housing, experience and more take center stage in a contentious mayor debate between incumbent Bruce Harrell and challenger Katie Wilson. The two also squared off in this Seattle University Conversations program.
📍Seattle City Attorney: Public safety and President Donald Trump’s federal policy loom large in Seattle Attorney race between incumbent Ann Davison and former federal prosecutor Erika Evans.
📌 Seattle City Council, District 2: Two city hall insiders are vying to represent Southeast Seattle in the Seattle City Council District 2 race. Get to know attorney Eddie Lin and transportation policy advisor Adonis Ducksworth.
📍Seattle City Council, Position 8: Progressive incumbent Alexis Mercedes Rinck and self-described Republican Rachael Savage offer sharply contrasting visions in the citywide Position 8 race.
📌 Seattle City Council, Position 9: Council President Sara Nelson and challenger Dionne Foster present competing ideas for Seattle’s future in the Position 9 race.
📍Seattle Proposition 2: Seattle voters will decide if overhauling the city’s B&O tax is worth the risk. Hear from a proponent and opponent of Seattle’s Proposition 2.
✅ Vote early, vote easy with these King County Elections resources
King County Elections is sending out ballots to voters now. You have until Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. to vote.
✔️ When you complete your ballot, return it to a safe and secure King County ballot drop box. There are more than 85 scattered across the county, open 24/7. Find the closest drop box near you! In late October, state officials urged voters to use drop boxes instead of mailing their ballots after Oct. 28. The guidance followed a new U.S. Postal Service rule that could delay postmarks for last-minute mail. In Washington, ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to be counted.
✔️ Did you know you can track your ballot? Learn how to track your ballot and sign up for alerts.
❓ Misplace your ballot? Not registered to vote? No problem! You can register to vote online or by mail up to eight days before the election. Learn how to replace your ballot here. And for last-minute procrastinating voters, you can register to vote and vote in person at one of eight King County Elections vote centers. The centers will be open for in-person voting beginning Nov. 1 through Election Day; and the King County Elections Service Center is already open to help you!
❓ What do you need to register to vote? To register to vote, head to an in-person voting center. You will be asked for the last four digits of your social security number. If you can’t provide those digits, show a government-issued ID or passport and sign a voter registration verifying you are a Washington resident. That’s it!
