Local Advocacy Update - July 2021

Article Written by Catherine Stanford

Compassion Seattle Update:  
On Thursday, July 1, Compassion Seattle submitted 64,155 petition signatures to the Office of the City Clerk to have Charter Amendment 29, an initiative to help the homeless people of Seattle and re-open our parks and public spaces to everyone, be placed on the November 2021 ballot.
 
More than double the required 33,060 signatures were secured in just a little over four weeks. Charter Amendment 29 funds urgently needed treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, establishes an individualized and culturally competent process to bring unsheltered people inside, and requires 2,000 new units of emergency housing within 12 months of adoption, including enhanced shelter, tiny homes, and hotels. The 64,155 signatures reflect support from the voters in Seattle that these actions cannot wait. King County Department of Elections is validating the signatures the Seattle City Council will act to place Charter Amendment 29 on the November ballot.
 
Local Elections:
The local election primary deadline is on August 3rd. There are a number of candidates who have filed in various jurisdictions, particularly for King County Executive; Seattle Mayor and Seattle at Large Council positions. The top two candidates in each race will move on to the general election in November. Your advocacy team has been tracking and assessing the candidates; after the primary we will be making recommendations to BOMA’s PAC (Political Action Committee) for campaign donations. The link to the list of candidates in the primary is Candidates - King County.