The Washington Supreme Court is currently debating the legality of signature-matching on mail-in ballots – and, surprise, surprise, The Stranger decided to frame the case as a voting rights issue. But what they avoid mentioning is that the only party pushing to eliminate this anti-fraud measure is the Democratic Party, which wants to toss out the one requirement—signing a valid ballot—that verifies voters in Washington State.

Leading the charge is Democratic lawyer Kevin Hamilton, known from the 2004 Rossi-Gregoire race that ended in controversy. The lawsuit’s backers, like Washington Bus and El Centro de la Raza, are funded by left-leaning groups like Fuse Washington, aligning with Democratic efforts to keep voting restrictions loose. Even Democrat Secretary of State Steve Hobbs argues that signature matching is essential for security in a universal vote-by-mail system. It appears more and more that Democrats hate it when you try to restrict voting to actual U.S. citizens who can legally vote. You can read The Stranger’s take here.

Trial lawyers are a core fundraising base for Democratic campaigns – and the reality is that money often comes through predatory practices. A recent case in Tacoma serves as a perfect example. Betty Williams, a Black woman over 70, is suing her former attorney, Beverly Grant, alleging that Grant’s law firm deceptively took money meant for court costs and converted it into steep hourly fees despite a contingency-fee contract. Williams, who initially sued Tacoma Public Schools for discrimination, settled for just $3,000. However, she claims Grant billed her for over $34,000 in hourly fees, taken from a $10,000 trust that was meant to cover only third-party expenses. Williams says this fee arrangement changed after the lawsuit began, with no notification from Grant, a veteran trial lawyer and former judge with ties to Washington Democrats. The suit alleges this wasn’t an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern that’s financially damaging to clients. And there you have it. Read more at the Tacoma News Tribune.

Break the law as Seattle’s police chief? Apparently, that just means extended paid leave. Former Chief Adrian Diaz, accused of lying to investigators and ignoring orders not to discuss his case, is on the sidelines—still collecting his $339,000 salary. Diaz, under scrutiny for allegedly misusing city resources in a romantic relationship with a subordinate, is now also suing the city for $10 million, claiming wrongful termination, retaliation, and discrimination after disclosing his sexual orientation. Meanwhile, Diaz stays on the payroll, sitting out his duties, while the city’s taxpayers are footing the bill for his ongoing absence. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

Another one of Washington Democrats’ discriminatory leftist policy is being challenged in federal court. A new federal lawsuit targets Washington’s Covenant Home Ownership Program for allegedly disqualifying applicants based on race, violating their constitutional rights. The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR) claims that the program is just another attempt to push a racial agenda, limiting eligibility to specific groups while leaving out others, like Chinese and Japanese Americans, who also faced historical discrimination. Instead of tackling the real housing crisis, the Democrats appear more interested in doubling down on racial preferences in the quest for the American dream. The Pacific Legal Foundation, representing FAIR, is stepping in to remind everyone that access to homeownership should not include a discriminatory checklist. Apparently, that’s a lesson Democrats need to learn. Read more at Center Square.

General Election voting is underway. Please remember to submit your ballot early to avoid last-minute issues. You can postmark your ballot by 8 p.m. on November 5 (no postage required), or through county drop boxes, which are open 24/7 and will close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. As you know, this election includes crucial positions like president, governor, congressional seats, and local measures. Please remember to vote! You can find ballot drop locations here.

Have you subscribed to the new Shift WA podcast yet? We’ve already released three full episodes, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive:

• Join us as we welcome Dale Whitaker, candidate for Washington’s Secretary of State, to discuss his reasons for running, thoughts on election security, and the role of technology in building election trust. We explore the line between election “integrity” and “denial,” plus why voters have historically trusted this role to Republicans. Dale also addresses the recent consent decree on 30-day residency requirements by Steve Hobbs and Bob Ferguson, and his vision for strengthening Washington’s business environment through the Secretary of State’s office.
• Fresh off a Seattle Times endorsement, Jaime Herrera-Beutler joins us to discuss her race for Commissioner of Public Lands. What does the Commissioner do? How can we reduce wildfires? What’s involved in forest management? Jaime tackles these questions and more.
• Pete Serrano discusses his path to law school, work as an environmental lawyer, and run for office. He breaks down the Attorney General’s mission, public safety priorities, and the police and public defender shortages. Pete also highlights what sets him apart from his opponent and shares thoughts on working with the legislature and whether the AG should be appointed by the governor.
• Judge Dave Larson joins the podcast to discuss his run for the Washington State Supreme Court, his journey into law, and the realities of judicial elections. He also touches on bias in the judiciary, legal news on ballot initiatives, and whether legal shows get it right. Finally, he shares ideas for improving the justice system.
• David Olson talks about his bid for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, including the role of OSPI, implications of I-2081, and his approaches to learning loss and school tech policies. He also addresses rising anti-Semitism in schools and the need for more apprenticeships.

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