This November we vote. Or to be more exact, many of us already voted—as early as October 18, 2024. I have been putting off writing on this important topic because I feel especially clear this election season about what is important for us as a country, for us as a State, and even for the City of Seattle, where I live and vote. I feel like the stakes are so high. The notion that others feel differently than I do and might support someone else for President, for Governor, or for King County Superior Court bench is hard to bear this year. It feels terribly important because these are important decisions. Thinking about the possibility that someone I do not support could win these significant elections is simply hard to fathom. So, I have tried to avoid contemplating a result I disagree with.

This November we vote. Or to be more exact, many of us already voted—as early as October 18, 2024. I have been putting off writing on this important topic because I feel especially clear this election season about what is important for us as a country, for us as a State, and even for the City of Seattle, where I live and vote. I feel like the stakes are so high. The notion that others feel differently than I do and might support someone else for President, for Governor, or for King County Superior Court bench is hard to bear this year. It feels terribly important because these are important decisions. Thinking about the possibility that someone I do not support could win these significant elections is simply hard to fathom. So, I have tried to avoid contemplating a result I disagree with.

One hallmark of our democracy is the peaceful transfer of power, dating all the way back to George Washington. For over 200 years, even bitter political opponents have yielded their authority to the candidate who receives the necessary votes to claim victory. 

One hallmark of our democracy is the peaceful transfer of power, dating all the way back to George Washington. For over 200 years, even bitter political opponents have yielded their authority to the candidate who receives the necessary votes to claim victory. 

As summer draws to a close, we start to replace flip flops with sensible, waterproof footwear when we take the dog out for a walk or hustle kids out the door. It’s back to school and back to business. And this year there is some important business that affects us all as we prepare for local, state, and a presidential election. We live in a state where it could not be easier to vote, because we can do it without even leaving our house. We can register to vote online. We receive our personally delivered ballot in the mail, which we can complete at our leisure. And when we are done, we need walk no further than the mailbox where we retrieved our ballot to send it along its way to our County Elections office.

As summer draws to a close, we start to replace flip flops with sensible, waterproof footwear when we take the dog out for a walk or hustle kids out the door. It’s back to school and back to business. And this year there is some important business that affects us all as we prepare for local, state, and a presidential election. We live in a state where it could not be easier to vote, because we can do it without even leaving our house. We can register to vote online. We receive our personally delivered ballot in the mail, which we can complete at our leisure. And when we are done, we need walk no further than the mailbox where we retrieved our ballot to send it along its way to our County Elections office.

Last month I announced an important step in the process of “spinning off” the Housing Justice Project as its own entity, by introducing you to Lisa Stone, who serves as the Transition Administrator in that process. Lisa got right to work, meeting with stake holders, sending out communications, and identifying key steps to help move the spinoff forward. I am grateful to have Lisa’s help and to benefit from her years of experience in the legal/non-profit arena.

Last month I announced an important step in the process of “spinning off” the Housing Justice Project as its own entity, by introducing you to Lisa Stone, who serves as the Transition Administrator in that process. Lisa got right to work, meeting with stake holders, sending out communications, and identifying key steps to help move the spinoff forward. I am grateful to have Lisa’s help and to benefit from her years of experience in the legal/non-profit arena.