Election 2024

Snohomish County Elections employees check signatures on ballots on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

5 things to watch in Washington heading into Election Day

Keep your eyes on statewide initiatives, the race for public lands commissioner and two contentious congressional races.

 

Snohomish County Elections employees Frank Monkman, left, and Tina Ruybal, right, place sorted ballots in a green container on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County’s guide to the 2024 election

Here is everything you need to know before Election Day.

 

The Washington state Capitol building in February. (Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard)

Voters are about to remake WA Legislature. Here are 7 races to watch.

Democrats hope to grow their majorities in the state House and Senate. The path may be through a local race.

 

Snow is visible along the top of Mount Pilchuck from bank of the Snohomish River near Rotary Park on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Everett initiative asks: Should the Snohomish River have legal rights?

Initiative 24-03 proposes legal standing to prevent environmental damage. Opponents say it’ll lead to unnecessary lawsuits.

Snow is visible along the top of Mount Pilchuck from bank of the Snohomish River near Rotary Park on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Elections employees Frank Monkman, left, and Tina Ruybal, right, place sorted ballots in a green container on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County preps for election, prioritizing safe, secure voting

Concerns over election safety rose after attacks on ballot boxes and threats to election workers nationwide.

Snohomish County Elections employees Frank Monkman, left, and Tina Ruybal, right, place sorted ballots in a green container on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett , Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Brandon Borg, 21, fills his gas tank in Everett on Oct. 24. Borg must drive long distances for work, and is worried about how the rise in gas prices will affect his ability to save money for his future. (Caroline Walker Evans for Cascade PBS)

Young WA voters say cost of living is their top concern

Everett and Seattle residents cited gas prices and rising rents as motivating factors for their votes this year.

Brandon Borg, 21, fills his gas tank in Everett on Oct. 24. Borg must drive long distances for work, and is worried about how the rise in gas prices will affect his ability to save money for his future. (Caroline Walker Evans for Cascade PBS)
From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair.

Costly campaigns: Where money is flowing in WA’s elections

More than $100 million has been spent statewide, including nearly $3 million in a race covering Snohomish and Island counties.

From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair.
Cars getting onto an I-5 on-ramp drive past a sign encouraging people to vote “YES on 24-01” to raise the Everett minimum wage on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What’s the difference between 2 measures to raise Everett’s minimum wage?

Both would raise the wage to $20.24 over time. Differences include tip credits and how businesses are defined.

Cars getting onto an I-5 on-ramp drive past a sign encouraging people to vote “YES on 24-01” to raise the Everett minimum wage on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
From left to right, Clyde Shavers, Carrie Kennedy, Dave Paul and Gary Wray

Money pours in for 10th Legislative District seats in the House

Parts of three counties will decide on what’s become an expensive race for the two seats.

From left to right, Clyde Shavers, Carrie Kennedy, Dave Paul and Gary Wray
Gov. Jay Inslee campaigns against Initiative 2117, which would cut the state’s carbon cap and investment program, at Aslan Brewery in Bellingham on Oct. 5. Environmentalists and one of the world’s biggest oil companies support Washington State’s cap on carbon. But voters are deciding whether to repeal the law amid concerns about energy costs. (Grant Hindsley / The New York Times)

Inslee fights to save landmark climate law

At a recent meeting in Everett, the governor called the repeal the “most important election, other than the White House.”

Gov. Jay Inslee campaigns against Initiative 2117, which would cut the state’s carbon cap and investment program, at Aslan Brewery in Bellingham on Oct. 5. Environmentalists and one of the world’s biggest oil companies support Washington State’s cap on carbon. But voters are deciding whether to repeal the law amid concerns about energy costs. (Grant Hindsley / The New York Times)
Top row: Strom Peterson, left, and Riaz Khan. Bottom row: Lillian Ortiz-Self, left, and Kristina Mitchell.

Democrats seek re-election to seats representing Edmonds, Mukilteo

The incumbents, Strom Peterson and Lillian Ortiz-Self, face challengers Riaz Khan and Kristina Mitchell.

Top row: Strom Peterson, left, and Riaz Khan. Bottom row: Lillian Ortiz-Self, left, and Kristina Mitchell.
From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair

Muzzall, St. Clair face off in expensive state Senate race

Democrats hope to turn this purple district blue by ousting Republican state Sen. Ron Muzzall.

From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair
From left to right, Heather Koellen and Brian Burnett

Nurse, former sheriff vie for open east Snohomish County seat

The incumbent in the recently redrawn District 12 is running for state Senate, making room for Heather Koellen and Brian Burnett.

From left to right, Heather Koellen and Brian Burnett
From left to right, April Berg and Sam Sim.

Education policy a top issue in House race

Incumbent state Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, is running for re-election against Sam Sim, a Republican from Bothell.

From left to right, April Berg and Sam Sim.
From left to right, Whitney Rivera and Mary Anderson.

Snohomish County judge candidates want to bring transparency to court

Last year, Mary Anderson lost a close race to serve on Superior Court. This year, she faces Judge Whitney Rivera.

From left to right, Whitney Rivera and Mary Anderson.
From left to right, Rick Larsen and Cody Hart.

‘MAGA Republican’ looks to unseat Everett’s Larsen in Congress

The candidates to represent Everett in Congress differ on hot button issues including abortion and gun control.

From left to right, Rick Larsen and Cody Hart.
The Carnegie Resource Center on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What would Snohomish County sales tax hike do for public safety?

Proposition 1 would help clean streets of crime and drug use, officials say. It’s a small boost to an already sky-high sales tax.

The Carnegie Resource Center on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Denise O. turns in ballots at the Snohomish County Campus drop box on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

What you need to know as Snohomish County sends out ballots today

This election has a little of everything: Choices on president, governor, ballot initiatives and local representation in Olympia.

Denise O. turns in ballots at the Snohomish County Campus drop box on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
From left, Julio Cortes, Annie Fitzgerald, Mary Fosse and Marnie Claywell.

Cost of living looms large in 38th District races

Two state House incumbents are fighting to keep their seats in the district covering Everett, Tulalip and Marysville.

From left, Julio Cortes, Annie Fitzgerald, Mary Fosse and Marnie Claywell.
The candidates in the 2024 Washington U.S. Senate race: Republican Raul Garcia, left, and incumbent Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell. (Photos courtesy of campaigns)

Takeaways from the first debate in Washington’s US Senate race

Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell, of Edmonds, and Republican challenger Raul Garcia faced off in Spokane.

The candidates in the 2024 Washington U.S. Senate race: Republican Raul Garcia, left, and incumbent Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell. (Photos courtesy of campaigns)