By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
After a temporary suspension of local elections in 2024 to allow for an internal audit, the Seattle-King County branch of the NAACP has been authorized by the national office to resume full operations. With 2026 on the horizon, branch leaders say they are ready to return to their mission of civil rights advocacy and community engagement.
In 2024, the national headquarters of the NAACP suspended elections for the Seattle branch citing database anomalies that required review. Although the election was halted, the branch itself was not suspended. Existing officers volunteered to stay in place to ensure organizational continuity and transparency while the national office conducted its audit and addressed member concerns.
Following the scheduled election in November 2024, the branch received notice from the national office that the vote had been paused due to what were described as “anomalies in the database.” Officers were asked to remain in their roles during the review process.
“They suspended the election,” said L. Darrell Powell, president of the Seattle-King County NAACP. “Nationals asked us to stay in place as the old administration and provide them some documentation so they could go through and clear up any questions or concerns that members may have had.”
According to Powell, the national office met with the local Executive Committee twice in 2025 to review documentation and discuss next steps.
“They met with us in January and in May, saying thanks for the information,” Powell said. “They have wanted some additional information and then they were going to reestablish another election. So that’s what we’ve been waiting for.”
Earlier this year, the national office confirmed the branch was authorized to continue operations.
“NAACP Seattle King branch is back and has been directed by the National office to get to work,” said Sheley Secrest, president of the Oregon Alaska State NAACP Conference. “The National Office met with the branch Executive Committee in January of 2025 and again in May 2025 to review concerns and provide guidance. Following the May meeting, the branch was authorized to continue operations.”
Secrest also addressed public confusion regarding the branch’s status.
“The National Office has received reports of miscommunication regarding the branch’s status and leadership, and we want to provide clarity,” said Secrest. “The branch was not suspended, nor has any leadership been suspended at any time.”
Founded in 1913, the Seattle-King County NAACP is the oldest branch west of the Mississippi River and has long played a significant role in the region’s civil rights landscape. The branch was active in challenging racial discrimination in housing and employment during the 1940s and 1950s and helped organize protests and advocacy campaigns throughout the civil rights movement. It was instrumental in the formation of the Seattle Human Rights Commission in 1968 and continues to support police reform, education equity, and economic justice.
“The branch’s mission has not changed and continues to be in accordance with the history of the organization’s mission, the advocacy of basic human rights, and equality in politics, the justice system, education, housing and employment,” said Powell.
Branch leadership is preparing to finalize a strategic plan for 2026, with a planning session scheduled for December. Powell said the focus will be on rebuilding connections with key public institutions following leadership changes across the region.
“Our strategic plan always is approved by our executive committee, we establish things collectively and so that’s what we’re meeting in December to say, OK, look, what did we want our 2026 to look like,” said Powell. “Now this is my perspective before it’s approved and edited by our executive committee, is that with all the changes in the local political environment, superintendent, where education is important to us, the mayor, political process is important to us, that we really need to reestablish ourselves with these new administrations.”
Powell said the branch intends to reconnect with new leadership at Seattle Public Schools, the mayor’s office, and King County government, with legal redress and education remaining top priorities.
Although 2025 was a quieter year, Powell said the branch is eager to return to visible, community-based work.
“I just look forward to 2026, us getting back on track,” said Powell. “We were very active in 2024, less active in 2025, and looking forward to us being more active and back in the community in 2026.”
