A brand new ballot exhibits an in depth contest on this month’s upcoming particular election deciding whether or not and the way to fund the creation of publicly owned housing in Seattle.
The ballot additionally exhibits most of Seattle’s public officers are underwater in relation to voters’ notion of their job efficiency and favorability; three out of 4 of these up for reelection this fall, together with Mayor Bruce Harrell, are considered unfavorably by extra voters than view them favorably.
The survey was commissioned by the Northwest Progressive Institute, a left-wing suppose tank that has a observe report of publishing impartial polling. Funded by Carrie Barnes, a strategist and energetic member of native Democratic organizations, the ballot is the Northwest Progressive Institute’s largest ever of Seattle voters. The objective, stated Andrew Villeneuve, is to take the “heartbeat” of voters within the metropolis and set up a baseline for future polling.
“We’ve got lengthy felt that it will be beneficial to have a seasonal ballot,” he stated.
The survey of almost 700 doubtless Seattle voters included 35 questions on native points and officers. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.3 share factors.
Seattle will conclude a particular election on Feb. 11 to find out whether or not and the way a brand new public developer of housing needs to be funded. Voters created the Seattle Social Housing Developer in 2023. However as a result of authorized limitations on the variety of topics that may be included in voter initiatives, that measure didn’t state how or if the group ought to obtain public {dollars} for its mission.
Tuesday’s election consists of two questions: Ought to the developer be funded? If sure, ought to that come by way of new taxes on firms that pay excessive salaries or by means of an current tax on massive companies within the metropolis?
The outcomes present voters leaning in favor of funding the developer however cut up on how. Practically half of respondents stated they favored giving the developer a bigger price range, and 32% stated they opposed it. In the meantime, 33% stated they supported a brand new tax whereas 31% stated the town ought to use current funds.
Villeneuve stated the underlying numbers recommend help for utilizing current funds could also be gaining momentum; it leads amongst those that have already voted and those that are undecided appear to favor it when pressed.
Native companies, together with Amazon, Microsoft and T-Cellular, have all spent closely in opposition to the brand new tax and in help of the town utilizing its current income.
The survey additionally gauged how voters really feel about their elected officers, asking them to say how favorably they considered these up for reelection this 12 months along with score the job efficiency of all elected officers in metropolis authorities. The 2 questions, whereas related, provide barely completely different views.
Practically all elected members of Seattle’s authorities are underwater in each classes. Giant swaths of the town’s citizens are uncertain about how their representatives are doing, which Villeneuve acknowledged limits the conclusions that may be drawn.
4 folks in metropolis authorities are up for reelection later this 12 months: Mayor Bruce Harrell, Metropolis Legal professional Ann Davison and Councilmembers Sara Nelson and Alexis Mercedes Rinck.
Harrell is considered favorably by 36% of voters and unfavorably by 50%. His job approval numbers are barely higher, at 38% approve and 48% disapprove.
Davison is considered favorably by 31% of voters and unfavorably additionally by 31%. Her job approval was 29% accepted and 32% disapproved.
Nelson had the weakest score: 24% considered her favorably in comparison with 44% unfavorably. Her job approval numbers had been 22% optimistic and 33% detrimental.
Mercedes Rinck was the one individual to be considered extra favorably than not — 30% favorable versus 25% unfavorable — although she additionally had by far the biggest quantity say they weren’t certain.
She has additionally solely been within the job for a few months.
Six members of the Metropolis Council should not up for election this 12 months. The survey discovered all of them to have a detrimental job approval score, with Councilmember Pleasure Hollingsworth doing the most effective and Councilmembers Maritza Rivera, Rob Saka and Bob Kettle doing the worst, though most voters stated they had been uncertain.
Half of those that answered stated they’re proud of their high quality of life in Seattle and 40% stated they’re dissatisfied.
The priorities for Seattle voters stay constant: Practically three-fourths stated public security and two-thirds stated connecting homeless folks to companies to carry them inside.
Practically 60% stated defending weak populations from the Trump administration was essential to them. About half named supporting small companies, bringing accountability to the Seattle Police Division and taxing the rich to fund public companies as priorities as effectively.
Gov. Bob Ferguson is essentially well-liked whereas President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are unpopular.
