Voters will start receiving ballots in the coming days for the Nov. 8 General Election. And if you are a Seattle voter you will be asked to weigh in on two competing ballot measures that will shift the way that we elect our local lawmakers, Approval Voting (Proposition 1A), and Ranked-Choice Voting (Proposition 1B). Here is what you need to know.
What is the Difference?
Advocates for both systems argue their preferred voting method is an improvement upon our current voting system because they would make our elections more fair and more representative, and would improve voter satisfaction and morale.
Approval Voting is a voting method in which voters can vote for as many candidates as they want in the primary election. All votes are weighted equally, and the two candidates who earn the most votes advance to the general election. [WATCH] How approval voting works
Ranked-Choice Voting is a voting method where voters rank their preferred candidates in order from most favorable to least favorable. The votes are counted in a round of series, the first series counts each voter’s first choice and the candidate with the least number of votes is eliminated. In each of the following series the process continues, counting each voter’s most preferred candidates among the remaining candidates until two candidates each obtain 50% of the vote. Those top two candidates move on to the general election. [WATCH] How ranked choice voting works
Note: Both voting methods would only apply to primary elections for local offices including (city attorney, city council, and mayor). Approval Voting would likely be implemented in the 2025 primaries and Ranked Choice Voting in 2027.
The Ballot
Seattle ballots will pose two separate questions to voters regarding these propositions.
Question 1: Do you support adopting any change to our voting system. (Yes/No)
Note: If this question receives less than 50% of the vote, Seattle will keep its current voting system. Neither Approval Voting nor Ranked-Choice Voting will be implemented.
Question 2: Regardless of whether you voted yes or no above, if one of these measures is enacted, which one should it be? (Approval Voting or Ranked-Choice Voting?)
Note: Question 2 will only matter if question 1 prevails, however all votes will be counted for question 2 including those who voted against change in question 1.
Voting Resources: