I was just reminded that we’re having one of those weird, King County Conservation District elections today where they make it extremely difficult for people to cast a vote. The result is, this is one of those few elections in King County where Republicans tend to routinely win. (See how that works? Few people vote… Republicans win. That’s all you need to know about most Republican proposals for election “reform.”)
Anyway… property rights/pro-sprawl incumbent Mark Livengood is being challenged by Max Prinsen, a past Chair of the Conservation Board, the current President of SHADOW (Save Habitat and Diversity of Wetlands), and a member of the Cedar River Council. Prinsen is also a member of and endorsed by Washington Conservation Voters.
Obviously, I urge you to vote for Max Prinsen.
Unfortunately, casting your vote isn’t all that easy. Polls are open from 11AM to 7PM today at the following locations
- Renton City Hall. 1055 South Grady Way, Renton
- Snoqualmie Valley Community Center. 4610 Stephens Ave, Carnation
- Kent City Hall. 220 – 4th Ave South, Kent
- Enumclaw Fairgrounds Administrative Office. 45224 – 284th Ave SE, Enumclaw
- Kirkland City Hall. 123 Fifth Ave, Kirkland
- Shoreline City Hall. 17544 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline
- Garfield Community Center, 2323 East Cherry St, Seattle
There are no absentee ballots and no provisionals. Hell, there isn’t even a polling place in downtown Seattle.
The King County Conservation District Board has a $6 million annual budget. Don’t you think maybe a real conservationist should help determine how that money is spent? Fewer than 1000 people generally vote in this election, so every vote counts.
UPDATE:
I have been corrected. Max Prinsen is not currently an active member of Washington Conservation Voters, though he had been some 5 or 6 years ago.
Down deep, most Republicans really don’t like democracy. The elitists among them detest the thought that a working stiff’s vote counts as much as a CEO’s vote, and the paternalistic authoritarians among them detest the chaos and uncertainty that democratic institutions can produce. So, for Republicans, if outright banning of elections is not politically feasible, the preferred alternative is to limit those who vote, either through schemes such as poll taxes or hiding polling locations.
It’s definitely hard on people who don’t drive to work and can’t travel far during lunch.
My husband and I just voted and we asked the KC Conservation guy — why are these elections so quiet? He said that under WA law, only one polling place is required for these elections and KC has seven. So they’re trying to make it easier for the public to know about and vote in these elections. But to really open it up, he said, state law needs to change – so contact your state legislators… I guess I’ll do that…
Saw the post, went and voted. They said I was the 12th person today. Good thing you’re posting about this – I didn’t even realize we could vote in these elections.
I’m gonna haul my butt over there and vote for the good guy right now!!!
And all you Republicans can kiss my furry cottontail!
Remember Marummy Country – named in honor of Mary Lane who spoke out for election reform for the GOP?
Friendly reminder: # of voters = # of legal votes = # of legal voters
(Every legal person votes and votes only once.)
I’ll head over to the Kent polling place after 5 today. Thanks for the update!
Report from Renton, about 6 PM.
Poll workers were surprised by the turnout, noted that they had well over a hundred votes, and that the ballot box was stuffed (in a good way – they had to use a pen to make sure the votes all went in).
Part of it was the blogosphere, but a gentleman ahead of me in line (we had a three-person line) was checking a letter which recommended (in bold letters) that he vote for the incumbent.
@7 Does this mean no more Republican double voting, dead voting, and felon voting? Are you sure the GOP is ready to give up its illegal votes, Josef? Hell, they can’t even win with 2,000 felon voters!
@9 The ballot box at my polling place was already full when Mrs. Rabbit and I voted at around 3 PM, and the pollworkers said they’ve been busy all day.
If an election like this normally draws a few hundred voters and Goldy’s post doubled the turnout, the Republican will be out on his ass by 10 PM tonight!
Well, both Farmer and Farmess voted. Garfield reported more than 100 votes just before poll closing time. Thankyou for posting this,Goldy.
So where do we find out the results?
Mr. Roger Rabbit —
I just called the KC Conservation District and was told that the election results are not yet certified — and may not be certified for a couple of weeks. However, it looks like Livengood has probably won — at this point with 700-something votes to Prinsen’s 300-something votes.
@14 ;(
More rabbit habitat down the toilet.
so what would it take to get this treated like the other fire/water/sewer/park/cemetary whatever special districts and voted on the regular ballots in August/November?