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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Elections

A voter putting their ballot into a mailbox

Recapping the February and April 2023 Ballot Measure Results

May 15, 2023  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  Elections ,  Fire Protection ,  Health and Human Services

Regional fire authorities, fire district mergers, hospital funding, and a regional crisis care center network were some of the local ballot measures that appeared before voters in the February and April special elections.

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A diverse group of politicians sitting at a dais and speaking to the press

Municipal Elections – Running for Office

March 1, 2023  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections

Many local elections will take place this year, including half of councilmember positions in towns and cities, appointed mayors, and many board positions with special purpose districts. Fortunately, there are a number of resources available for new and returning candidates.

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Recapping the November 2022 Ballot Measure Results

Recapping the November 2022 Ballot Measure Results

December 7, 2022  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  Elections ,  Revenues ,  Transportation Finance

As with many past elections, this past November brought voters over 100 local ballot measures across the state, from libraries to bond measures to levy lid lifts. New this year, however, were several measures involving ranked-choice voting and home rule charter propositions.

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Managing Unexpected Elections Issues

Managing Unexpected Elections Issues

October 10, 2022  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Elections

Sometimes unexpected and unusual situations can arise during the election process, such as a tie between candidates or the withdrawal or death of a candidate before the election takes place.

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Elections Integrity and Security: Part 2

Elections Integrity and Security: Part 2

October 3, 2022  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections

In the second part of our series on election security measures, we look at how elections offices verify and tabulate votes to ensure a complete result, and under what conditions and how a recount happens.

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A voter putting their ballot into a mailbox

Elections Integrity and Security: Part 1

September 26, 2022  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections

Free, fair, and accurate elections are a hallmark of our democratic system. Washington State has enacted a number of measures to protect each person’s right to vote and to ensure that elections statewide are safe and secure.

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Supporting/Opposing Ballot Measures and Candidates

Supporting/Opposing Ballot Measures and Candidates

August 17, 2022  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Elections

Election season raises many questions for local government staff and elected officials, especially when it comes to ballot measures and candidates running for office. What are the rules for supporting or opposing an issue or a candidate and how do these apply?  

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How Local Ballot Measures Fared in the 2021 General Election

How Local Ballot Measures Fared in the 2021 General Election

November 10, 2021  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  Courts and Criminal Justice System ,  Elections ,  Transportation Finance ,  Forms of Government-City ,  Forms of Government-County ,  Inclusive Communities

From changes in governance to funding for criminal justice, libraries, and transportation, this blog covers many local ballot measures across the state and how these issues fared in the recent general election.

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You’ve Been Elected: Now What?

You’ve Been Elected: Now What?

November 1, 2021  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Administrative and Elected Officials ,  Elections

Now that you've been elected there are a number of steps you'll need to take before assuming office, as well as some resources you might want to check out to get ready for your new adventure. 

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Use Of Public Facilities for Campaign Elections - 2021 General Election Edition

Use Of Public Facilities for Campaign Elections - 2021 General Election Edition

September 27, 2021  by  Steve Gross
Category:  Elections

Local governments have many questions involving how, when, and in what context public facilities can be used during campaign season. This blog covers some common questions, from political buttons and signs to what (exactly) counts as a public facility. 

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Redistricting and the 2020 Census

Redistricting and the 2020 Census

August 30, 2021  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections ,  Tax and Population Data

Local governments using a district-based voting system must begin the process of redistricting in response to the 2020 Census, although a delay in distribution of this data also means new redistricting deadlines.

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Regulating Signs During Election Season

Regulating Signs During Election Season

August 19, 2021  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Elections ,  Sign Control

This blog will touch on some frequently asked questions regarding the regulation of political signage. 

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2021: New Election Laws

2021: New Election Laws

July 8, 2021  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog summarizes five new laws relating to elections from the 2021 legislative session.

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Election Season Tips & Reminders

Election Season Tips & Reminders

June 1, 2021  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections

This blog highlights some of MRSC’s guidance about participating in elections — as a candidate, a local government employee, or an observer.

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Ballot Measure Results from the 2020 General Election

Ballot Measure Results from the 2020 General Election

November 12, 2020  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  Parks and Recreation Finance ,  Elections ,  Fire Protection ,  Transportation Finance ,  Forms of Government-County ,  Law Enforcement

This blog post recaps some of the local ballot measure results from the November 2020 general election and discusses why the record-breaking turnout may make ballot measure validation tougher next year.

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Voting Rights and the Election

Voting Rights and the Election

October 26, 2020  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections

This blog discusses a number of elements of Washington State elections that help keep them secure and accessible for everyone. 

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Regulating Non-Commercial Temporary Signs During Election Season

Regulating Non-Commercial Temporary Signs During Election Season

October 13, 2020  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Elections ,  Sign Control

This blog post provides a brief refresher on how a jurisdiction may regulate temporary, campaign-related signs in a post-Reed v. Gilbert environment.

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Election Season Rules – Does COVID-19 Change the Game?

Election Season Rules – Does COVID-19 Change the Game?

August 10, 2020  by  Steve Gross
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Elections

Can an employee post a political sign in their home office? Should elected officials take part in PSA's? This blog explores how standard rules governing what government resources can and cannot be used for during campaign season, and how these rules apply during the pandemic. 

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Elections – What’s New in 2020

Elections – What’s New in 2020

June 18, 2020  by  Linda Gallagher
Category:  Elections ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog looks at election-related legislation passed during the Washington State Legislature's 2020 Regular Session. 

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Ballot Measure Results from the 2019 General Election

Ballot Measure Results from the 2019 General Election

November 12, 2019  by  Steve Hawley
Category:  Public Transit ,  Housing ,  Elections ,  Forms of Government-City

This blog post provides a brief summary of I-976 as well as many of the city, county, and special purpose district ballot measure results across the state.

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