By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
On Monday, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed a 10-year renewal of the city’s Democracy Voucher Program, an initiative that has increased voter participation and candidate diversity since its inception in 2015. With the program set to expire at the end of this year, Harrell, joined by community leaders and civic engagement organizations, announced his commitment to ensuring its continuation.
Created by voters in 2015, the Democracy Voucher Program aims to increase participation in local government by supporting campaigns for office. Seattle is the first city in the nation to enact this type of public campaign financing.
At a press conference Monday, Harrell opened with a quote from the late Rep. John Lewis, reinforcing the significance of voting rights. “The right to vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy.”
The program allows Seattle residents to financially support candidates running for local office using publicly funded vouchers, making the political process more accessible and ensuring that campaign financing is not limited to those with personal wealth or large donor networks. Under the renewed program, Seattle residents will receive four $25 Democracy Vouchers in 2025, which they may assign to participating candidates running for city office.
“Democracy Vouchers as a tool will allow more people to participate in campaign financing in our city, making the political process more accessible and inclusive,” Harrell said. “Indeed, that was its intent, and indeed, that is how it worked out in the last 10 years.”
Since 2017, more than 106,000 Seattle residents have used Democracy Vouchers, collectively distributing over $10 million to local campaigns. According to city officials, the program has led to a more diverse group of candidates running for office, making elections more competitive and representative of Seattle’s communities.
“We are proud to include diversity as one of our values that drives what we do,” Harrell said. “The program is popular with candidates running for office—76% of candidates who appeared on a primary election ballot and 89% of candidates on a general election ballot have participated in the program.”
To be eligible to use Democracy Vouchers, residents must be:
• A Seattle resident
• At least 18 years old
• A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident (“green card holder”)
Democracy Vouchers cannot be used for ballot initiatives, referendums, or recall campaigns. They may only be donated to participating candidates running for City of Seattle offices.
City leaders emphasized that the Democracy Voucher Program plays a critical role in strengthening local democracy, particularly at a time when some believe voting rights and democratic institutions face increasing challenges.
“Our American experiment in democracy is facing a number of hurdles at the moment,” said City Councilmember Bob Kettle. “We cannot, however, stop in our pursuit of being a more perfect union. As a candidate, I gained insight into our democracy in action. I saw how many could participate and how many could not, and this experience fostered my support for the Democracy Voucher Program.”
Harrell’s proposal would renew the levy that funds the program, costing the average homeowner about $12 per year, or $45 million over 10 years.
“This program is an investment in a healthy democracy in our city, which is why I am proposing renewing the levy that funds this program,” Harrell said. “That is $45 million over 10 years that we can invest in bringing everyone to the table to reflect the principles of a democracy that we cherish so well.”
Civic organizations, including Washington Community Action Network, support the program, citing its role in promoting fairness, justice, and inclusive representation.
“This program is a local success story in how we can support increased municipal elections and empower candidates and voters from all backgrounds to have a meaningful role in our democracy,” Harrell said. “Renewing this program shows Seattle’s commitment to ensuring that all voices—regardless of income or background—have a role in shaping the future of our city.”
