Also in this edition: Seattle, Portland and New York sue Trump administration over directive to withhold federal funding, and more!



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November 3 .

We are nearly one week away from one of the most consequential elections of our lives.

Voting is the most important thing you can do to make sure that your voice is heard in both local, state and national politics. This years ballot is full of critical races, from the President to propositions, from state representatives to county charter amendments. Make sure that you consult your King County Voters Pamphlet [ [link removed] ] to catch up on all of the important issues.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way most of our nation will vote this year, Washington State has successfully and safely voted-by-mail for over a decade. But we all still need to make plans to vote and vote early in this election!

The most recent ballot return numbers show that 54.9% of all Seattle voters more than half - have already voted while that number is historic, we can show the nation how to vote early and safely. I expect Seattle will lead in the country with a historic turnout far surpassing 84.2% of registered voters in Seattle who voted in the 2016 election.

King County Elections started mailing out ballots on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and most people should have already received your ballot. If you did not receive you ballot, call 206-296-VOTE (8683) or print your ballot online: [link removed] [ [link removed] ].

If you havent already voted, take a few minutes tonight or tomorrow to complete your ballot early.

There are many ways to return your ballot: no stamp needed if you drop it in the mail or you can also find a ballot box [ [link removed] ] near you or a vote center [ [link removed] ]. There are 25 drop boxes across Seattle open 24 hours a day.

Closeup image of a person filling out their ballot

If you are not registered to vote, there is still time! Today is the deadline to register to vote online and if you miss your chance online, you can still visit a King County Elections vote center through November 3rd at 8:00 p.m.

You can find more information:


* Register to vote or change your address [ [link removed] ]
* Learn about candidates and measures on the ballot [ [link removed] ]
* Map of 24/7 Drop Boxes across Seattle [ [link removed] ]
* King County Elections Vote Centers [ [link removed] ]
* Track My Ballot [ [link removed] ]

As always, please continue to write me at [email protected], reach out via Twitter [ [link removed] ] and Facebook [ [link removed] ], and stay up-to-date on the work were doing for the people of Seattle on my blog. [ [link removed] ]

Stay Safe and Healthy,

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City of Seattle Partners with Seattle Visiting Nurse Association to Provide Free Vaccinations for Residents

Building on the Citys successful free COVID-19 testing,Mayor Jenny A. Durkantoday announced the City of Seattleispartneringwith theSeattle Visiting Nurses Association(SVNA)to provide vaccinationsin locations across Seattle.The Cityhas used $150,000 in CARES Act funding topurchase3,750 vaccinationsto provide foruninsuredresidents, at no cost.Two City of Seattle sponsored flu clinics at Genesee Park will offer language access to accommodate individuals facing language barriers.You can find information on thelocations and hours of theclinicshere [ [link removed] ].

Screenshot of free flu shot clinic locations in Seattle [ [link removed] ]

The City of Seattle is sponsoring twofluclinics that offer language access at Genesee Park, 4316 S Genesee St., 98118,from 10 am to 5:30 pmon Wednesday,October 21 and Friday, October 30.For uninsured individual, theCity-purchasedvaccinationswill beprovidedat no-costatanySVNAsiteswithin the City of Seattle. Those interested in vaccinations should pre-registeratshedule.seattlevna.com [ [link removed] ].Please make sure to register for each person in your party who will receive a vaccination.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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Seattle, Portland, New York sue Trump Administration over directive to withhold federal dollars

The cities of Seattle, Portland, and New York filed a federal lawsuit last week challenging President Trumps Memorandum titled "Reviewing Funding to State and Local Government Recipients of Federal Funds That Are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities ordering federal agencies to withhold federal grant dollars from so-called anarchist jurisdictions, and the U.S. Attorney Generals unlawful designation of the cities as anarchist.

The cities argue the executive branch lacks authority to add conditions to congressionally appropriated funds without congressional authorization, and that the designation was made in an arbitrary and capricious manner based on a set of vague and subjective factors entirely within the U.S. Attorney Generals discretion.

In the lawsuit, the three cities challenge the proposed action on five different grounds, including violation of the Separation of Powers and the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The cities ask that the Court remove the cities anarchist jurisdiction designations and prohibit the U.S. Department of Justice and Office of Management and Budget from carrying out the administrations scheme.

Read the lawsuit [ [link removed] ]
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From Seattle DOT: Announcing Trick or Street Blocks & other fun ideas to celebrate Halloween safely.
Image of a young woman holding a jack o'lantern.

Photo Credit: Julia Raasch on Unsplash.

We are excited to announce Stay Healthy Blocks have been extended, and now you can apply for a free Trick or Street permit for Halloween!

We are now making Stay Healthy Blocks available to individuals in addition to non-profits and community organizations through the end of November.

If youre headed outdoors, we want to be sure you and your household have as much space as possible but can still safely celebrate Halloween in accordance with Phase 2 guidelines of the Governors Safe Start Plan (which limits gatherings with more than 5 people outside your household).

We encourage you to apply for a Trick or Street Block for October 31st to close your non-arterial street if you meet eligibility criteria and follow the guidelines below.

If you live on a Stay Healthy Street, hosting an event is even easier since your street is already has barricades and STREET CLOSED signs. You do not need any additional permits to hold a Trick or Street Block on a Stay Healthy Street! Youll still need to follow the guidelines, and you can print out extra signs to let people driving know about your planned activity. Read more about our Stay Healthy Blocks, which support Seattle residents/groups to temporarily close blocks to thru-traffic, in this blog and on our website.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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City of Seattle Extends Free Street Use Permits for Businesses Through October 31, 2021

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced last week that the Seattle Department of Transportations (SDOT) temporary street use permits are extended through October 31, 2021. These free permits allow small businesses to expand their operations outside to help ease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic while remaining in compliance with local and statewide public health guidance and requirements. This extension impactsfree sidewalk caf and curb space permits [ [link removed] ]as well asfree street closure permits [ [link removed] ]. In addition, the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) will immediately begin issuing free tent permits and heating permits to help businesses maintain operations during the colder, rainier months ahead.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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Sound Transit board Unanimously Votes to Transfer Properties to City of Seattle at No Cost for the Development of Approximately 150 Affordable Homes in Rainier Valley

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan celebrated the Sound Transit boards unanimous vote to authorize the transfer of ten surplus properties in Rainier Valley to the City of Seattle at no cost, for affordable housing development. Approximately 150 affordable homes will be developed for homeownership opportunities for families at or below 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI).

The City has been working in partnership with Sound Transit and community-based organizations for several years to transfer these sites at no cost to the City of Seattle, and over the last year, Mayor Durkan had been working to ensure these parcels could be transferred at no cost to the City. Throughout this years-long partnership, community members have expressed the creation of affordable homeownership opportunities as a top priority. Using locally- and nationally-proven strategies, such as community land trusts and other shared equity homeownership models, the Office of Housing will invest $10 million to develop permanently affordable homes on these sites.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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