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Ballot measures

August 5, 2025 Primary Election

City of Seattle

Proposition No. 1
Property Tax for Democracy Voucher Program

The Mayor and Seattle City Council passed Ordinance 127204, concerning funding for Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program.

If approved, this proposition would replace an expiring levy to fund the City’s Democracy Voucher Program that provides public funds to participating candidates for certain elected offices. Levy funding would also cover Program administration costs.

It authorizes a ten-year levy for collection beginning in 2026 of an additional $0.015/$1,000 assessed value, for a maximum total levy rate of $2.27/$1,000. 2026’s levy amount would be the base for subsequent levies through 2035. RCW 84.36.381’s senior citizens and disabled persons exemption applies.

Should this levy be approved?

Yes

No


Seattle Proposition 1, which would replace an expiring Democracy Voucher Program levy if approved, is expected to raise approximately $45,000,000 over ten years for the Program’s funding purposes. Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program provides four $25 Democracy Vouchers to each Seattle voter per city election, assignable to and redeemable by candidates for Mayor, City Council, or City Attorney, who agree to particular campaign spending and contribution limits. Money from this levy would cover costs associated with the program, such as providing funding for campaign contributions backed by Democracy Vouchers, voucher printing and mailing, administrative staff, public outreach, and voucher processing costs.

In 2026, the first year of this proposition’s collection, no more than $4,500,000 would be raised. The additional tax rate associated with this proposition’s increase for each property owner would be approximately $0.015 per $1,000 of assessed value, and the maximum rate for the total levy would be $2.27/$1,000. RCW 84.36.381 allows levies to include a property tax exemption for senior citizens and disabled persons. This levy includes that exemption.

Without voter-approved levies, the City is generally limited by state law to increasing annual property taxes by no more than one percent above the highest amount that the City could have received in the prior year. After this levy expires with 2035 collections, that one percent maximum increase would be calculated as if this proposition had not been passed.

Vote Yes on Proposition 1 for People Powered Elections!

Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program is a proven tool that empowers residents of every income, race, and age to elect candidates accountable to all of us—not just wealthy donors. Since it launched, small donor participation has skyrocketed, and the share of campaign dollars from big money and out-of-city donors has plummeted. Campaign funders now better reflect the city’s income and racial demographics, and more candidates—especially women, people of color, and renters—can compete by running people-powered campaigns.

At a time of deep national concern about the health of our democracy, Seattle can lead by example. For about $13 a year per median homeowner, we can empower everyday people to support candidates they believe in—even if they can’t afford to give. Eliminating democracy vouchers would reverse the progress we’ve made—just as billionaires pour more money into elections across the country.

Proposition 1 is supported by trusted organizations across the city, including the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County, LiUNA Local 242, OneAmerica Votes, Washington Bus, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Washington CAN, and more. Keep Seattle of, by, and for the people. Vote Yes on Proposition 1!

Submitted by: Teresa Mosqueda, Estevan Muñoz-Howard, www.yesonprop1seattle.org

Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program is a flawed attempt to reduce big money’s influence in campaign financing using an unnecessary tax on citizens in a city that is already unaffordable.

With only 4.72% participation in 2023, most vouchers go unused, showing a lack of interest in the program. Administrative costs from 2016 to 2023 hit $6.4 million to distribute just $9.4 million, wasting the hard-earned money of taxpayers on an unnecessary tax. In the last mayoral election, one candidate hired consultants to harvest vouchers, collecting more vouchers than votes, finishing a distant sixth. Receipts for the campaign show non-campaign-related items like headphones, proving the system can be gamed.

In 2023, Political Action Committees spent over $1 million, overshadowing voucher contributions and undermining the program’s purpose. A 2017 lawsuit raised First Amendment concerns with the program. The first-come, first-served system also benefits incumbents over challengers.

Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program is inefficient, underutilized, and fails to curb big money’s influence. Seattleites are forced to pay a tax, in an already unaffordable city, to fund political campaigns where most of the money doesn’t even get used. The city should return the money to the taxpayers. Let’s start by ending the program.

Submitted by: Ari Hoffman, notovouchers@gmail.com

Opponents of this program are the rich donors driving PAC spending. Seattle now leads all other major cities in resident participation thanks to democracy vouchers. More people are giving—and running for office—because this program mitigates the influence of wealthy donors and outside interests.

Democracy vouchers are also funded by one of the smallest levies in history. At a time when democracy faces unprecedented threats, Seattle must continue to lead. Yes on Prop 1!

Submitted by: Teresa Mosqueda, Estevan Muñoz-Howard, www.yesonprop1seattle.org

Contrary to supporters’ claims of the program’s popularity, Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program has low participation, under 5% in 2023. Big money still dominates via unregulated PACs, undermining the program’s intent and demonstrating the program hasn’t leveled the playing field. Candidates exploit the system, some collecting more vouchers than votes. If Seattle wants to get big money out of politics and ensure transparency, then propose legislation to ban PAC money from elections or pass other reforms.

Submitted by: Ari Hoffman, notovouchers@gmail.com

Simple majority (RCW 84.55.050)

For questions about this measure, contact: Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk, (206) 684-8344, Scheereen.Dedman@seattle.gov

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