Politics
Seattle Expands Voter Guide With Enhanced Candidate Profiles
The program directs city resources to candidate profiles and coverage that Seattle residents can use when reviewing ballots for city council and port positions.
How we reported this
The Seattle City Council passed the Voter Information Enhancement Program on July 6. The measure allocates funds for candidate spotlights and election coverage produced through city partnerships. It reaches all 537,000 registered voters listed in King County records.
Municipal elections occur on November 3. Candidates for seven city council seats and other local offices filed paperwork in the first week of July. Policy analysts point to gaps in prior coverage of neighborhood issues such as housing costs and transit routes.
Effects on Seattle households
Residents in Capitol Hill and Rainier Valley can view candidate questionnaires on the city website starting in August. These materials include positions on specific measures like the expansion of the Link light rail to Federal Way. Families who use the Seattle Public Library system will find printed spotlights available at 27 branch locations.
The legislation states that $285,000 from the 2026 general fund supports production of video segments and radio segments. The amount covers 12 candidate forums held at community centers in Ballard and West Seattle. Local advocates note that shift workers gain access through on-demand recordings rather than live events scheduled during daytime hours.
Timeline for rollout
City staff will open the submission portal for candidates on July 20. The Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission will review all content for compliance with neutrality rules by August 15. Distribution through library kiosks and the city app begins September 1.
Officials project that updated materials will appear in the November voter pamphlet mailed to every household. The program does not alter ballot deadlines or registration requirements set by the county elections office.