Washington’s 2024 Primary Election is here, and it’s crucial to make sure your voice is heard. If you haven’t returned your ballot yet, you need to act fast!

Deadline: Tomorrow, August 6 by 8 PM

Here’s what you need to do:

• Drop Box: Return your ballot to any drop box by 8 PM tomorrow, August 6. Find drop box locations here.
• Mailed Ballots: If you’re mailing your ballot, it must be postmarked by August 6. The USPS recommends mailing it at least a week in advance, so if you haven’t mailed it yet, consider using a drop box or voting center instead.

Remember, this election impacts all 39 counties with 654 offices and 94 local measures on the ballot. Every vote counts, so make sure yours is in on time!

Vote now to make your voice heard!

Voters can also check ballot status online!

Gov. Jay Inslee is boasting about Washington’s paid-leave program, claiming it deserves a gold medal. The program, launched five years ago, offers some of the highest payouts among states with mandatory paid leave. However, Inslee didn’t mention how it impacts low-wage workers, who end up with less money for their own needs due to payroll deductions. In 2024, an average-wage worker will contribute $444.89, with their employer adding $177.95, totaling $622.84 annually for a benefit they might never use. The program’s generosity, offering up to 18 weeks of paid leave, has led to financial strain. Beneficiaries can receive up to 90% of their pay, with a maximum of $1,456 in 2024, but many low-income workers can’t afford to take leave. Data shows that the program primarily benefits middle- and upper-income earners, not those most in need. The U.S. offers 12 weeks of unpaid leave without taxing workers, unlike Washington’s approach, which burdens taxpayers with new social programs. As the Washington Policy Center argues, lawmakers should reconsider penalizing work, as it hinders self-sufficiency for some Washingtonians. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.

Anita Khandelwal, director of King County Public Defenders, is pushing to drastically reduce felony prosecutions, arguing they don’t curb crime and disproportionately affect BIPOC communities. Instead, she suggests paying criminals not to commit crimes. This comes amid a WSBA proposal to reduce public defenders’ caseloads, which prosecutors warn could leave dangerous suspects uncharged and burden budgets. Khandelwal dismisses these concerns, advocating for “evidence-based” harm reduction strategies and claiming incarceration increases recidivism. Her solution? Stop prosecuting property crimes and introduce universal basic income to prevent crime. Of course, the reality is that this approach lacks any supportive research and jeopardizes public safety and accountability. Khandelwal’s stance reflects a broader radical agenda to dismantle the criminal justice system, prioritizing social experiments over proven methods of maintaining law and order. Read Jason Rantz’s take on KTTH.

Seattle City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth has withdrawn a bill aimed at slowing the city’s minimum wage increase for small businesses next year. This decision comes after significant backlash from those who supported the law. Supporters accused Hollingsworth of betraying low-wage workers and breaking a decade-old agreement – and Hollingsworth buckled under the pressure. The agreement, made in 2014, phased in a $15 minimum wage, allowing smaller businesses to credit tips and benefits to meet wage requirements. This phased approach was set to end next year, causing a more than $3 per hour increase in base pay for many small businesses. Of course, as Shift WA has reported, the increase places undue strain on small businesses that are already struggling to make ends meets. Expect more businesses closures in Seattle. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

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

• Episode 1:We called in Amy Harris from Red Strategies to discuss the ins and outs of campaign finance. We cover everything from the importance of funding to the challenges of small-dollar donations and those pesky fundraising texts.
• Episode 2: Raul Garcia joined us during his Freedom From Fentanyl Walk, sharing his family’s personal battle with addiction and discussing broader strategies to tackle this crisis. His firsthand experience is both inspiring and urgent.
• Episode 3:Michael Baumgartner spoke candidly about his run for Washington’s 5th congressional district, touching on key issues like the fentanyl crisis, border security, and even the complexities of the Jones Act.

Subscribe now and don’t miss out on these critical discussions!

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