I actually read the Voter’s Pamphlet. Strange, I know. Out of 19 issues on my ballot, which includes state, county, and local ballot measures, eight were unopposed – so over 40% of my job was done before filling in that first bubble.
There is nothing too juicy to vote on in the November 8 Washington State General Election (except for maybe the highly debated and publicized I-1183), so a few of my choices this year were based off of silly things like “I don’t want to vote for this guy because he looks like a weenie” or “this dude reminds me of Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation and that’s funny”. Maybe not the best way to choose a candidate, but when there is little distinguishing the two on paper, you work with what you’ve got!
Alas, here are my picks for 2011 Washington State General Election – enjoy!
Initiative 1125 – Yes
This initiative essentially says that funds collected by road tolls should be used exclusively to benefit a specific, transportation-related project. I don’t have strong feelings on this one (however, my husband, the Libertarian, does). I don’t see too much of an issue with using toll revenues to support other local projects, but following the cash can get messy very easily, and is it really fair to those using the road (who may be non-local commuters) to be paying for unrelated projects? Or should a toll on I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue, to use a hypothetical example, be used to fund a non-transportation project in Spokane? Ultimately, I found it more equitable to those paying the toll that the money go to a specific transportation project, and therefore support I-1125.
Initiative 1163 – Yes
I don’t see why anyone would vote against this one, as it seeks to ensure elderly care workers are safe and well-trained. Why isn’t this already a law? My follow up question: are laws on the books for childcare workers? If not, let’s get that on the ballot immediately!
Initiative 1183 – Yes
Everyone and their MADD mother has an opinion on this initiative, which has resurrected from last year’s ballot to try and get the state out of selling liquor and focus on regulating it. I support this for several selfish reasons: more places to buy alcohol and, likely, much better prices, too. But, I also support the initiative because it gets the state out of the retail business of selling liquor, which it really has no need to do. The funds that go to running state liquor stores can be reallocated elsewhere, or better yet, reinvested into the Department of Liquor to improve regulation enforcement. I understand that there are health and safety concerns, but how is segregating hard liquor from wine and beer really addressing those concerns? If anything, it creates a false perception that wine and beer are somehow safer or healthier than hard liquor; but alcohol is alcohol, and I think we should be more concerned with embracing a healthy and responsible attitude toward alcohol rather than supporting a potentially hazardous illusion that it somehow healthier to get wasted off beer than to have a shot of vodka. Drunk is drunk – it doesn’t matter how you got there!
Senate Joint Resolution 8205 – Approved
This amendment repeals an inoperative section of our state constitution concerning how long one must be a Washington state resident before voting in a General Election for US President. This one is a no-brainer (as it’s already inoperative and why should a citizen be restricted from voting in a national election?): approved!
Senate Joint Resolution 8206 – Approved
This one was a little tricky to follow, but from what I understand, it says that every two years the state legislature should transfer excess funds into what is essentially a “rainy day fund” rather than be spent on various (and potentially frivolous) projects. Since I err on the side of fiscal conservatism, I’m voting to approve this one.
King County Director of Elections – Mark Greene
The incumbent, Sherril Huff, doesn’t seem too bad, but King County hardly has a sparkling record when it comes to elections in recent history (just look at all the controversy from the Governor’s race of 2004/2008, or US Senate race of 2006 – lots of “missing ballots” and comparisons to the ever-corrupt Cook County in Illinois). The challenger, Mark Greene, seems a little nuts, as he spends over half of his statement spinning a conspiracy theory of why he didn’t win a 2004 GOP primary against Paul Lord. There are no good choices in this match-up, so I decided to support crazy – just for kicks!
Port of Seattle Commissioner, Position 2 – Richard Pope
I’m voting for Pope because he pointed out that while the Seattle area helps subsidize our Port, in Los Angeles and Vancouver, BC, their ports actually bring money in. What a novel concept! Let’s see if he can bring extra revenue to the area, rather than spend it well, as incumbent Gael Tarleton boasts.
Port of Seattle Commissioner, Position 5 – Bill Bryant
Ultimately, I’m voting for Bryant because I don’t want to vote for Willard. Willard states that, “although this position is officially non-partisan, [he] shares King County’s progressive values”. He then goes on to list several left-leaning associations. I find injecting partisanship where it is inherently not necessary or appropriate disgusting, especially in today’s hyper-partisan political environment. It is because of this very poor choice of Willard’s to portray himself in such a manner that I am supporting incumbent Bryant.
City of Issaquah Council Position 4 – TJ Filley
I honestly didn’t see much of a qualitative difference between Filley and incumbent Schaer. But, Filley reminded me of Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation with lines like, “it’s time to stop pretending that government waste is someone else’s problem,” and “America’s road to bankruptcy is going right through Issaquah”. Besides, the other guy kind of looks like a weenie!
Issaquah School District Director District 1 – Patrick Sansing
Both candidates in this match up seem perfectly qualified to do a good job. However, I chose Sansing over Deagle because he seemed to be presenting a more concrete platform, rather than pithy rhetoric.
Issaquah School District Director District 5 – Suzanne Weaver
Honestly, there is very, very little different between the two candidates; and since the challenger, Neville, didn’t propose anything new or definitive in contrast to incumbent Weaver, I went with Weaver.