Washington election news
- USKIRO
Election 2024: Voters outline their top issues
Voters spoke to KIRO 7 about the issues that concerned them the most.
2 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
WA GOP congressional candidate is offering to pick up your ballot. Is that legal?
While many Republicans decried ballot “harvesting” in past, some are embracing it now in the lead up to the 2024 presidential election.
5 min read - USThe Olympian
WA Dems torn on who to support in AG race. Winner likely to face Tri-Cities councilman
“They know that it’s elimination time.”
4 min read - USKitsap Sun
The Kitsap Sun's voter guide to Washington's August primary election
Research your vote and be prepared for primary votes on county commissioner, legislative seats and more.
3 min read - USKitsap Sun
Election 2024: Primary challengers emerge in Washington's 35th District for Couture
Incumbent Travis Couture is up against fellow Republican Eric Onisko and Democrat James DeHart to retain his House seat.
8 min read - USKitsap Sun
Election 2024: Hansen looks to retain appointed Senate seat in Washington's 23rd District
Sen. Drew Hansen, who moved over from the state House in 2023, is challenged by Lancy Byrd and Ace Haynes in the primary.
12 min read - USKitsap Sun
3 candidates vie for open U.S. House seat in Washington 6th District primary race
Hilary Franz, Emily Randall and Drew MacEwen are running to represent Washington's Sixth Congressional District.
12 min read - USKitsap Sun
Election 2024: Six candidates up to follow Garrido as Kitsap County Commissioner
An open seat in Kitsap County draws Jeff Coughlin, Matt Macklin, Sean Murphy, Paul Nuchims, Oran Root and Stacey Smith.
19 min read - USKitsap Sun
Election 2024: Rep. Simmons draws 2 challengers in Washington 23rd District primary
Incumbent state Rep. Tarra Simmons, Republican Kurt Robertson and Independent Tiffany Atrill are primary choices in the 23rd District.
10 min read - USKitsap Sun
Election 2024: Five candidates aim for 26th District position held by Caldier
Incumbent Rep. Michelle Caldier is challenged by Rachel Harter, Tiffiny Mitchell, Lori McPherson and Josh Smith.
13 min read - USKitsap Sun
Election 2024: Three candidates up for House seat opening in 26th District
Jim Henderson, Jesse Young, and Adison Richards are primary candidates for the district bridging Kitsap and Pierce counties.
10 min read - PoliticsThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Four challengers are vying to unseat incumbent Lt. Governor of Washington Denny Heck. Here's why
Jul. 29—Among the races on the ballot to be decided by Washington voters in the Aug. 6 primary is the one for the state's lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor's role could be compared to being the vice president of the state. The office holder takes over the role of acting governor whenever the governor leaves the state or is otherwise unable to do the job. The lieutenant governor is ...
7 min read - PoliticsThe Chronicle, Centralia, Wash.
Donald Trump endorses Joe Kent for Third District ahead of August primary
Jul. 29—For the second election cycle in a row, former president and 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has backed congressional candidate Joe Kent in his race to represent the Third Congressional District in the nation's capital. In a Truth Social post Sunday afternoon, Trump said Kent is a "Great American Hero" who "paid a very big price in fighting for our country." In the ...
3 min read - USBellingham Herald mcclatchy
Is the race for WA governor down to two? Semi Bird thinks the polling is ‘garbage’
Voters have 28 candidates to choose from in the race for governor.
5 min read - USThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Once-ousted commissioner is suing Stevens County while running for re-election; he says it's his only option after unfair ruling
Jul. 28—A Stevens County commissioner who is running for re-election is also suing the county and the former prosecutor. He faces two challengers in the Aug. 6 primary election. Commissioner Wes McCart is defending his District 1 seat representing the southern portion of the county. If elected, it would be his fourth term. Running against him are Montgomery (Monty) Stobart, a retired Army ...
8 min read - PoliticsThe Olympian
What Black voters think about Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and their top priorities
More than 200,000 people sent in questionnaires.
6 min read - USKIRO
2024 WA Elections: Congressional District 8 race
Incumbent Kim Schrier is facing three challengers in the 8th Congressional District Primary Race. Washington’s 8th Congressional District includes the eastern portions of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties as well as Chelan and Kittitas counties. The Washington State Primary and Special Election is Aug. 6.
8 min read - USThe Chronicle, Centralia, Wash.
Republican candidates make their case in Mossyrock
Jul. 26—Ahead of the August primary, candidates for federal, state and county offices gathered in Mossyrock Thursday to share their visions for the future. Hosted by the Lewis County Republican Party, the forum drew roughly 200 attendees to the Mossyrock Community Center for a panel that included candidate for the Third Congressional District Joe Kent, gubernatorial candidate Misipati "Semi" ...
5 min read - USThe Chronicle, Centralia, Wash.
Lewis County Auditor's Office encourages voters to return primary ballots early
Jul. 26—The Lewis County Auditor's Office has advised registered voters to mail their ballots at least a week before the Aug. 6 primary. In a news release Thursday, the auditor's office said the additional time helps ensure ballots will be postmarked in time to be counted in the primary. "If the ballot is not mailed until election day, the voter should take the ballot packet to a postal clerk ...
1 min read - PoliticsThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
'She's a person for our time': Washington senators see Harris reshaping presidential race
Jul. 26—WASHINGTON, D.C. — It may have been the most momentous fortnight in modern U.S. political history. Barely a week after former President Donald Trump escaped a would-be assassin's bullet by mere millimeters — a seemingly miraculous miss that galvanized Republicans on the eve of a GOP convention that felt like an early victory party for Trump, President Joe Biden upended the race for the ...
8 min read - USTacoma News Tribune
Annexation and property taxes are on the ballot in these East Pierce County cities
About 90 percent of the calls in 2023 were for medical aid in Buckley.
2 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
‘Amnesty Dan’ hits back at challenger Smiley, calling her a ‘debt-ridden, double dealer’
The Pasco veteran advocate’s political fundraising, spending comes under fire.
7 min read - PoliticsKIRO
Washington democrats are counting their delegations support for Harris Thursday
“It’s like a shot in the arm for all of us in the Democratic Party."
3 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
Fact check: Is Kamala Harris really a ‘radical left lunatic’ as Donald Trump says?
We looked at some of Team Trump’s claims about the presumptive Democratic nominee.
5 min read - PoliticsThe Olympian
‘Prosecuting’ Donald Trump: How Kamala Harris’ DA background shapes her campaign style
“One of Biden’s problems was an inability to consistently make the case against Trump,” an expert said.
9 min read - USThe Chronicle, Centralia, Wash.
Lewis County commissioner candidates make their pitch ahead of primary
Jul. 24—Ahead of the August primary election, The Chronicle sat down with the five candidates vying for a seat on the Lewis County Board of Commissioners. Three candidates — incumbent Sean Swope and challengers Damian Bean and Peter Lahmann — filed to represent District 1, which represents Centralia and much of the northern portion of the county. Two candidates — incumbent Lindsey Pollock and ...
10 min read - PoliticsThe Olympian
Here’s who is getting extra attention as Kamala Harris’ running mate search picks up
A Harris campaign spokesman said the VP vetting process has begun “in earnest.”
6 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
Kamala Harris comes out of the starting gate with a problem with Hispanic voters
National polls show Harris struggling to win the kind of support among Hispanic voters that Democratic candidates have long counted on, but there are recent signs of improvement.
5 min read - CelebrityBellingham Herald mcclatchy
Meme queen? What coconut trees and lime green mean for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign
Singer Charli XCX said on X Sunday that “kamala IS brat,” a powerful compliment for fans who are chronically online.
5 min read - CelebrityThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Has VP Harris planted her 'coconut trees' in Spokane? Here's what it could mean for young voters during the 'Brat' season
Jul. 23—Three months before Vice President Kamala Harris found herself in the middle of a recent social media blowup referencing the green-colored Charli xcx album "Brat," Spokane resident Lucy Reed dyed parts of her dark hair lime green. Back then, Reed, 25, had no idea she'd be staring into a presidential campaign that quickly mobilized around the younger generation's knack for light-hearted ...
11 min read - USThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Sales tax increase for public safety to appear on Spokane ballots this November
Jul. 23—Spokane voters will be asked this November whether they want to pay a permanent 0.1% extra sales tax within city limits, after the Spokane City Council voted Monday to place the question on the November election ballot. The decision follows months of vacillating over proposals to generate revenue for a city struggling to balance its budget as pandemic-era federal funding dries up, ...
4 min read - USThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Ballots are arriving for Washington's primary elections. Here are the top contenders for governor
Jul. 23—If history repeats itself, this year's race for Washington's next governor will be close. Ballots dropped last week for the Aug. 6 state primary elections. This year marks the first incumbent-free contest for governor since Jay Inslee was elected in 2012, barely beating out his Republican opponent Rob McKenna with 3% of the vote. And in 2004, Chris Gregoire beat her Republican opponent ...
10 min read - PoliticsBellingham Herald mcclatchy
Washington launches public-awareness campaign to curb misinformation about voting by mail
“Washingtonians should know our elections are conducted securely and transparently by trained and dedicated election officials.”
2 min read - USTacoma News Tribune
Some folks in Pierce County haven’t received their voters’ pamphlets yet. Here’s why
The elections office hopes to get them delivered later this month.
1 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
WA state has less than 3% of the vote on Democrats’ new presidential nominee. Here’s why
More than 111 Washingtonians will vote on Joe Biden’s replacement on the ballot, out of nearly 4,000 votes. We explain how those numbers are determined.
2 min read - PoliticsKIRO
Washington Democrats throw their support behind VP Harris
There’s just about a month to the Democratic National Convention, and while Democrats from the evergreen state are mostly falling in line behind VP Harris, it’s an unprecedented timeline to nominate her.
2 min read - USTri-City Herald
Tri-Cities voters have 2 county leaders under investigation on their 2024 ballots
The majority of county commissioners are up for reelection in the Tri-Cities region.
11 min read - PoliticsBellingham Herald mcclatchy
Does Kamala Harris’ run for president throw a wrench in Gavin Newsom’s plans for 2028?
Gavin Newsom has spent the past two years swatting down rumors and questions about running for president.
4 min read - PoliticsThe Olympian
NC has been a swing state in 2024 election. Is that still the case with Biden’s exit?
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their surrogates have made regular visits to North Carolina since the beginning of the 2024 campaign season. What happens now?
5 min read - USThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Sales tax proposal to appear on Spokane ballots this November
Jul. 22—Spokane voters will be asked this November whether they want to pay a permanent 0.1% extra sales tax within city limits, after the Spokane City Council voted Monday to place the question on the November election ballot. The decision follows months of vacillating over proposals to generate revenue for a city struggling to balance its budget as pandemic-era federal funding dries up, ...
4 min read - USThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Spokane City Council shoots down resolution supporting enforcing homeless camping law
Jul. 22—The Spokane City Council on Monday declined to take a position on whether the city should commit to enforcing a voter-approved law banning camping in much of the city. Following last month's U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing cities to enforce laws preventing the homeless from sleeping in public, two Spokane City Council members wanted to call on Mayor Lisa Brown to enforce a law ...
3 min read - PoliticsThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Nearly all Washington Democrats in Congress endorse Kamala Harris for president
Jul. 22—WASHINGTON — In the hours after President Joe Biden on Sunday announced he would end his re-election bid, elected Democrats swiftly coalesced around his vice president. By Monday afternoon, nearly all Washington Democrats holding federal or statewide office had endorsed Kamala Harris as their party's nominee for president. After weeks of mounting pressure on Biden from his own party to ...
6 min read - PoliticsKitsap Sun
Will Washington's delegates endorse Kamala Harris? What to know after Biden's exit
President Biden won 90 of Washington's 92 delegates in the March primary. But what happens now?
4 min read - USKIRO
‘It’s about time’: NAACP leader in WA applauds possibility of Harris as presidential nominee
NAACP members reportedly scrambled to regroup following President Joe Biden’s sudden withdrawal from the race on Sunday.
2 min read - PoliticsThe Olympian
In first public remarks, Kamala Harris praises Joe Biden, doesn’t talk presidential campaign
“Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the past three years is unmatched in modern history,” Harris started.
1 min read - PoliticsThe Olympian
Do Republicans see Kamala Harris as easy to beat?
Would Kamala Harris be a tougher opponent than Joe Biden?
4 min read - PoliticsKCPQ
WA political leaders, analysts weigh in on Biden dropping out of presidential race
President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his reelection bid. The news has political analysts and leaders across Washington state weighing in.
6 min read - PoliticsKIRO
Local politicians react to Biden’s decision to bow out of run for president
Biden’s recent hiccups have been at the center of attention for weeks.
2 min read - USTri-City Herald
Franklin leaders divided over tax to replace failing 911 system. Deadline looms
They’ve only got two meetings left to decide before the ballot deadline.
9 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
Kamala Harris’ potential challengers fall in line, clearing way to Democratic nomination
Democrats appear to have no desire to protract an intraparty battle that took down the candidacy of a sitting president.
5 min read - PoliticsThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
State agency reviewing campaign cash complaint against Maycumber
Jul. 21—Congressional candidate and state Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic, faces a complaint alleging an illegal use of state campaign funds to support her congressional campaign. The complaint, filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission by legal intern Jake Espeland, relies on reporting by The Spokesman-Review, which found Maycumber appeared to have worked with state GOP ...
2 min read - PoliticsThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Spokane-area Democrats respond with optimism to Biden's decision to drop out
Jul. 21—Local Democrats on Sunday praised President Joe Biden's decision to drop his re-election bid and pledged to unite behind the eventual party nominee. State Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, called Biden's decision "patriotic." "President Biden saved the country once by stepping up to run four years ago, and I think by stepping aside he's working to try to save America again," Riccelli ...
7 min read - PoliticsThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Without Biden, choosing Harris is a less risky option for Democrats, local political experts say
Jul. 21—There's good reason Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as the most likely replacement as the Democratic nominee for president, experts said Sunday. After President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the 2024 presidential race Sunday, he endorsed Harris shortly after. Cornell Clayton, the director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at ...
7 min read - PoliticsThe Olympian
A Harris-Newsom presidential ticket? There’s one big legal hurdle: The 12th Amendment
The Amendment outlines how presidential electors in the electoral college cast ballots for the presidential ticket.
3 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
Kamala Harris’ criminal justice record: Get up to speed
Harris, a former prosecutor, was the self-proclaimed “top cop” of California. Until she wasn’t.
2 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
Kamala Harris is running for president. Can she beat Donald Trump?
Kamala Harris is close to Donald Trump in latest national polling.
3 min read - USThe Olympian
Who is Josh Shapiro? Pennsylvania’s governor is on list of possible Democratic VP nominees
What is Shapiro’s record as governor of Pennsylvania?
3 min read - PoliticsKitsap Sun
Washington leaders react to Biden dropping out of presidential race
Two Washington lawmakers – Reps. Adam Smith and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez – were among those who urged Biden to quit the race
4 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
Who is Andy Beshear? Kentucky’s governor is on list of possible Democratic VP nominees
What is his policy record as Kentucky’s governor and former attorney general?
7 min read - PoliticsBellingham Herald mcclatchy
Here’s President Joe Biden’s full announcement as he exits 2024 presidential election
The announcement came shortly before 11 a.m. West Coast time.
1 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
With President Biden out of the race, what could be next for NC Gov. Roy Cooper?
President Joe Biden announced Sunday he’s out of the race. Could Gov. Roy Cooper be the next VP, with Kamala Harris?
6 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
Joe Biden is out. How do Democrats pick a new presidential nominee?
Do Democrats face chaos in picking a successor?
4 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
What does Kamala Harris’ record show? From California prosecutor to the vice president
Being a vice president historically means being in the shadows. Now, the former California prosecutor is in the spotlight.
6 min read - PoliticsTri-City Herald
California Gov. Gavin Newsom endorses Kamala Harris for president after Joe Biden drops out
The Democrat had emerged as a top possibility to face Donald Trump.
4 min read - PoliticsBellingham Herald mcclatchy
Biden’s out. Is Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear now a VP candidate?
Kentucky’s popular two-term governor, is likely to be a VP candidate as Dems choose a new top candidate. A Democrat legislator says Andy Beshear “can deliver a message of revitalization, management and hope to the American people like he’s done here in commonwealth.”
9 min read - PoliticsKIRO
President Biden will not run for reelection, endorsing VP Harris as nominee
President Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.
2 min read - PoliticsThe Olympian
With Biden out of presidential race, Kamala Harris emerges as front-runner with his endorsement
The former California senator runs close to Donald Trump in recent national polls.
5 min read - PoliticsThe Olympian
Harris vows to earn nomination after Biden bows out of race, throws support behind her
President Joe Biden wrote that “it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
10 min read - USThe Olympian
Thurston County’s new voter center opens in Tumwater. Here’s what it’s like inside
The new center offers more space and security than the previous one in Olympia.
5 min read - USThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Ballots are are arriving for Washington's primary elections. Here are the top contenders for governor
Jul. 20—If history repeats itself, this year's race for Washington's next governor will be close. Ballots dropped last week for the Aug. 6 state primary elections. This year marks the first incumbent-free contest for governor since Jay Inslee was elected in 2012, barely beating out his Republican opponent Rob McKenna with 3% of the vote. And in 2004, Chris Gregoire beat her Republican opponent ...
10 min read - PoliticsBellingham Herald mcclatchy
Pelletti, Melman challenge Blaine’s Alicia Rule, who’s seeking a third term in state House
Democratic state House member seeking third term in district that recently flipped parties.
5 min read - USBellingham Herald mcclatchy
Larsen facing seven challengers in August primary for Washington’s 2nd District in U.S. House
Long-term incumbent’s opponents come from both the right and the left.
11 min read - PoliticsBellingham Herald mcclatchy
Whatcom County ballots mailed for top-two primary election; deadline to return them is Aug. 6
Two candidates with the most votes will advance to the November general election.
1 min read - OpinionThe Olympian
Letter writers endorse legislator and AG candidates, and urge Biden to step aside
Here are the letters to the editor for July 21.
3 min read - PoliticsThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
In race to replace McMorris Rodgers, fundraising shows some campaigns gaining, others fizzling
Jul. 19—Republican Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner continues to have a wide lead in campaign money over the other 10 candidates running for Congress in Eastern Washington. But some other candidates, including Democrat OB-GYN Bernadine Bank, Republican state Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber and GOP Ferry County Commissioner Brian Dansel, also brought in impressive hauls in the second ...
7 min read - USThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Veterans, rancher, lawyer battle for state House seat representing Northeastern Washington
Jul. 19—Two military veterans, a lawyer and a rancher are battling for an open state House seat representing northeastern Washington. Interest in the seat was sparked when state Rep. Joel Kretz, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2004, opted not to seek re-election. The mostly rural 7th Legislative District, which includes Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Douglas counties ...
7 min read - PoliticsKIRO
What happens if President Biden drops out of the race? Here’s what could happen next
But as pressure mounts for him to step aside, the process of choosing another Democratic nominee isn’t as simple as removing President Biden from the top of the ticket.
3 min read - USKCPQ
Snohomish County opens new multi-million dollar election office
Snohomish County Elections has mailed ballots to 516,000 registered voters for the August 6 Primary. When ballots return through the mail or to 35 drop boxes in Snohomish County, they'll make their way to Snohomish County's new Elections Center in Everett.
1 min read - PoliticsThe Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Congressional fundraising shows some campaigns gaining, others fizzling
Jul. 18—Republican Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner continues to have a wide lead in campaign money over the other 10 candidates running for Congress in Eastern Washington. But some other candidates, including Democrat OB-GYN Bernadine Bank, Republican state Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber and GOP Ferry County Commissioner Brian Dansel, also brought in impressive hauls in the second ...
7 min read