My attention, and the attention of most people I know, has been hijacked by the daily outrages of the second Trump Regime. Protesting those outrages is important, but we still need to orient ourselves to the local political landscape where (at least so far) our votes still count.
Before I was rudely awakened by the 2016 election, before I read the original Indivisible document, and before I began writing this blog, I was usually surprised at the appearance of a ballot in my mailbox in any odd-numbered year. So please pardon me if I start from the very beginning by rehashing the orientation process I went through.
Basic Washington State Elections orientation
“Presidential” elections occur every four years in even-numbered years, as in 2016, 2020, 2024, and 2028. However, they are not just “presidential”. In Washington State the preponderance of statewide positions, e.g. governor, lieutenant governor, state treasurer, etc., are on the ballot in presidential years as well as some county commissioners and some (county) superior court judges. (A little confusingly, the preponderance of county elected official appear on the alternating even-numbered years, i.e. the “Congressional” election years.) Typically, presidential elections, with all their national media attention, stimulate the highest percentage of eligible voters to fill out and turn in their ballot, including voters who are probably the least oriented to the candidates who appear down ballot.
“Congressional” elections fall in the alternating even numbered years, e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026, and 2030. U.S. Representatives (2 year terms) are always and U.S. Senators sometimes (6 year terms) appear on these Congressional election ballots. Notably, freshman U.S. Representative Michael Baumgartner (R, eastern Washington, CD5) will be on the ballot again in 2026 like all U.S. House members. As noted above, in Washington State most elected county government positions (mostly 4 year terms), e.g. some County Commissioners, County Auditor, County Treasurer, County Prosecutor, etc., are also on “Congressional” election ballots.
It is “Municipal” elections that occur in the odd-numbered years in Washington State. Those include all the people we elect to represent us in cities, towns, school districts, fire districts, and municipal judgeships in Washington State. They are hard to keep track of. That’s the reason for this post. In Spokane County alone there are thirteen incorporated cities and towns, many with several elected officials, as well as school, fire, water, and cemetery districts. The fragmentation is bewildering—even for the media.
You could be forgiven for being only dimly aware that there is an August Primary and a November General election this year, but, in fact, it is already possible to see who is running for what and who will appear on your particular ballot. In Washington State the deadline for filing as a candidate for this year’s elections was “filing week”, May 5-9, so, with a little due diligence (described below) you can figure out who will appear on your ballots.
How to Orient Yourself
Note: It’s probably easier on a computer than on a smartphone to accomplish what I describe below. (I find the county website very clunky on a smartphone.)
Start by visiting Vote.wa.gov. Enter your name and birthday and, once there, click “Your Elected Officials”. No position above the “City/Town” listings will be on this year’s ballots so slide down to the “City/Town” listings. Only some of your elected officials in and below the “City/Town” listings will be on this year’s ballots (most, maybe all, of the others will appear on ballots in 2027, since most of these officials are on four year terms). For example, three of the six City of Spokane City Councilors appear on this year’s ballot, one from each district, so pay attention to your 1, 2, or 3 district designation. For example, my listing specifies “CITY COUNCIL - CITY OF SPOKANE DISTRICT NO. 2.” (Note that, a little confusingly, in each City Council District there are also “Council Positions” No. 1 and No. 2. Only the No. 2 positions are on this year’s [2025] ballots.)
Now go to your county government website. In my case that’s spokanecounty.gov. There pull down the “Your Government” menu, click “Elections”, click “Candidate Filing Information” and, finally, “Candidates Who Have Filed”. Here’s the link to the resulting page for Spokane County dwellers (in case you’re lost). That page, “PRIMARY 2025” lists 160 candidates vying for 112 offices in Spokane County many of whom will be on the ballot for the August Primary. In my case I then scroll down to the City of Spokane listings to see who’s running for Spokane City Council, particularly in my DISTRICT NO. 2. That reveals two candidates, Kate Telis (my favorite) and Alejandro Barrientos. (My current Position No. 2 City Councilor, Lili Navarrette, is not running.) Soon (but not of this writing), clicking the candidate name will take you to more information about that candidate.
Primary vs. General Election Ballots
Of the three City of Spokane City Council Districts only candidates for District No. 3, Position No. 2 (northwest City of Spokane) will appear on the Primary ballot in August. That’s the only on of the three races that has more than two candidates running for the position, i.e. there is no need to chose two to advance to the November General Election. We already know. However, appearing only on the November General Election ballot (as in Districts 1 and 2) has some disadvantages: 1) not appearing on the August Primary ballot means less name recognition and 2) limits the total amount of campaign contribution a candidate is legally allowed to accept from any one contributor. (Of course, thanks to the Citizens United decision, a megabucks supporter in opposition can establish a PAC and spend unlimited amounts of money—a loophole for the wealthy.)
Maps
If you like maps, the link listed below is a great resource. It not only shows the three City of Spokane City Council Districts, but if you click “View Full Map” below that you’ll have a map you can play with to show school, fire, and other districts. (Click the symbol in the upper right that looks like a stack of papers, click the triangle that appears to the left of “Map Layers,” then the triangle by “Boundaries” and toggle among the options. Interesting and educational! Even fun!)
City of Spokane, City Council District Map: https://my.spokanecity.org/opendata/gis/council-districts/
In Conclusion
May this provide you with some orientation for the upcoming local elections. At the very least check it out enough so you know and recognize the names that will appear on your particular ballot. Write them down. That way you can pay attention to information that comes your way in the next couple months—and talk up the candidates with friends and acquaintances. Do not wait until you’re looking at the ballot and wondering, “Who is that, anyway?”
Spend a little time to acquaint yourself in this year’s electoral landscape. Let’s not lose sight of Indivisible’s admonition to pay attention to local politics.
Keep to the high ground,
Jerry