Redistricting in Washington has turned into a game of Democrat power plays – one perfect example is the 12th Legislative District. Incumbent Republican Senator Brad Hawkins wasn’t planning on vacating his seat, until a Federal Voting Rights Act ruling gave Democrats a shiny new playground to flex their muscles. Thanks to some creative map-drawing that splits the district like a pie, Democrats created a newfound opportunity to finally make the 12th competitive.

This year’s redistricting has transformed a historically red district into a landscape that is within reach for Democrats. Two Democrats managed to score around 44% in the primaries, which is quite a feat considering that prior to this year, they couldn’t even crack 40% since 2008. Of course, liberal judges are complicit in this power grab, ruling in favor of redrawn maps that benefit Democrats over Republicans.

Let’s not forget how this new map stretches all the way from the Columbia River to the bustling blue havens of Snohomish and King Counties. It’s all part of Democrats’ strategy to dilute conservative votes by swapping in a few thousand liberal-leaning voters. Meanwhile, Republicans are still confident about holding onto power, even as they navigate the complexities of a district now twice the size of Delaware—perfect for a road trip, if nothing else. Read PBS’s take on the redistricting – and election consequences –here.

Following a suspected arson incident, hundreds of voters in Vancouver are advised to confirm their ballots with the Clark County Elections Office after a ballot drop box was set ablaze early Monday morning. Police arrived to find the box smoking, alongside a suspicious device, which was safely removed by the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit. The FBI is now involved in the investigation. If you are a voter in Clark County, please confirm your ballot statuses online or via phone. In fact, it’s a good practice for all voters to adopt! You can track your ballot here.

A recent “No on 2124” email falsely claims that Initiative 2124 benefits only the wealthy and big insurance companies. As the Washington Policy Center points out, the reality is very different. Many workers object to the mandatory long-term care tax (i.e. WA Cares), seeing it as a financial penalty. The long-term care tax primarily benefits the state budget and SEIU 775, the union backing the mandatory program. While the program offers a $36,500 payout for long-term care, that amount falls short for many, and the fund’s main purpose is to increase state funds and create more taxpayer-funded caregivers. Those who qualify might avoid relying on taxpayer aid yet would have been eligible for existing programs like Medicaid without mandatory payroll deductions. According to the Washington Policy Center, voters can expect continued spin from the long-term care tax supporters, including false promises about its benefits. Read more at the Washington Policy Center.

Boeing is scrambling to raise $19 billion in a stock offering as it battles a prolonged strike, cash flow issues, and a mountain of debt. The company plans to use proceeds for corporate needs like debt repayment and capital projects. Workers recently rejected a contract proposal, prolonging a six-week strike that has halted jetliner production and cut off crucial revenue from new plane deliveries. With a reported $6 billion third-quarter loss, Boeing’s financials are grim, marking the second-worst quarter in its history. The company also burned through nearly $2 billion in cash and currently holds $58 billion in debt, with no positive cash flow expected until late next year. Read more at King5.

Washington’s ballot returns are crawling compared to 2020, with just 23% back versus nearly 39% by this stage four years ago—likely due to later mailings this year. Jefferson County leads with a 39% return rate, followed by Mason at 37%, while larger counties like Thurston and Spokane sit at 34% and 32% respectively, with King and Snohomish trailing at a low 20%. Klickitat County is barely awake with a 7% return rate. Drop boxes are the preferred method, handling 54% of returns, while mail covers 45%. Voters over 65 are leading the charge with a 40% return rate, while only 9% of ballots from 18-24-year-olds have trickled in. Please remember to vote this week! Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

General Election voting kicked off last week as drop boxes opened for ballot submissions. Each county is required to mail ballots to voters by today, starting an 18-day voting period leading up to Election Day on November 5. 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:

• 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.
• Forget the debates! We’re going full counter-programming with our first video podcast featuring the one and only Ashley Stubbs. She’s shares the wild world of campaign merch and swag. We dive into her treasure trove of campaign knickknacks and discuss what worked, what didn’t, and how it might have even cost Mayor Pete the 2020 election.
• The hosts dive into regulations with Patrick McLaughlin, Director of Policy Analytics at the Mercatus Center. Patrick discusses his latest project on state-level regulations and their economic impacts. How does Washington compare to its neighbors? Do regulators care about stifling progress, or are regulations necessary? Patrick addresses critics and offers insights on improving the regulatory landscape, especially in a blue state.
• 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.

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

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