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Voting is one of our greatest rights and duties as Americans, and Election Day is an opportunity for us to shape the future of our communities. We?re in the midst of a global public health crisis and an election cycle that has perpetuated fear, anxiety, and uncertainty for so many of us. Today and every day, it?s important to remember that Seattle, King County, and Washington state have a long history of leading the country in safe and secure elections. Washington voters know elections may take a number of days to count accurately, and Governor Inslee, Executive Constantine, and I are committed to ensuring every vote is counted both in Washington state and across the nation.
It is always important to remember: together and individually each of us is the best force for peace.? I have confidence in the people of Seattle and our region.? And people are showing that in huge numbers by showing up and exercising their right to vote.
If you haven?t already, please vote! As of noon today, 82.69% of Seattle residents have returned their ballots. Residents can return their ballot to a ballot drop box (no stamp required) and must do so by 8 p.m. tonight. You can also mail your ballot today (no stamp required), as long as it is postmarked by today (not just put in a mailbox).? Read more about returning your ballot.
I know many of you have questions about what could happen in Seattle on Election Day and the days following. In one of the most challenging years in our city?s history, we have a president that has consistently incited hate, fear, and violence. This is why my office has been closely coordinating with the Governor, County Executive, and City departments for a safe and secure Election Day and planning for the days that follow.
While law enforcement agencies do not have any intelligence to indicate that there are any specific threats, the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, and other law enforcement agencies have been planning for contingency purposes to prepare for a wide range of scenarios such as demonstrations. Our city departments have reached out to small business owners to provide proactive information on how to prepare and secure their employees and customers as well as their property. You can find more information about the City?s planning here.
Understanding COVID-19 cases are surging in King County, we are encouraging individuals to stay in their neighborhoods for a safe Election Day and Night. The ?Rock the Block? program allows residents stay close to home and keep moving on Election Day. ?
Please vote. Take care of one another, and please stay safe and healthy tonight.
 
Across the City, Rock the Block safe streets will allow residents who want to be with their loved ones and neighbors on Election Day the opportunity do so while remaining in compliance with Phase Two of the Governor?s?Safe Start?plan. Like all?Stay Healthy Blocks, maintaining social distance and wearing a face covering is required. Rock the Block is available for non-arterial streets and streets will be open for people walking and rolling from 12 ? 9 p.m. on Election Day. For a full list of requirements,?please visit SDOT?s blog post.
Residents who would like to register their street must first make sure their block aligns with SDOT?s eligibility criteria and alert their neighbors. Residents can then?register their street online?and immediately set up their Rock the Block.?
Visit SDOT?s blog?for more guidance on how to easily and safely set up your Rock the Block street closure.
Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement today ahead of Tuesday's elections.
"Record voter turnout in Washington state and around the nation is a powerful reminder of who's in charge as this tumultuous election reaches its final state: The people.
"That means elections are not final until all votes are counted. There may be instances where the outcomes aren't certain on election night. Washingtonians' commitment to civility, respect and nonviolence will be honored during that time. Nothing could be more important for the continuation of our democracy.
"State and county elections officers?? representing every region of our state?? are in charge of this process. I have every reason to be confident our state's election system will produce an outcome that represents the will of the voters. If you haven't voted yet, please do it now ? and know you can do it safely.
"We know elections take time to count accurately. We know how this works and we can be a model for the nation. Our government's power belongs to the people. It did before this election, and that will continue after this election."
The City Budget Office released an updated economic forecast and new revenue projections for 2020 and 2021. The City Budget Office now estimates an additional $57 million in net revenue from both the Real Estate Excise Tax, sales tax, and additional General Fund revenue. While some revenue sources increased following actual collection, some revenues fell below forecasts including the Commercial Parking Tax and Short Term Rental Tax. You can find the?updated forecast here.
In a letter to City Council, the Mayor detailed her priorities for these additional revenues, including increasing services for the individuals experiencing homelessness, a restoration of the strategic investment fund, a mitigation of City layoffs, and a citywide cleanup program to address litter and illegal dumping.
The Mayor also proposed restoring funding to the capital maintenance funding at the Transportation and Parks Departments. The Mayor?s letter to City Council?can be found here.
In?King County, the number of new cases reported each day has increased 2.5-fold compared to what it was in mid-September. The region, which includes Seattle, Bellevue and Redmond, is averaging 170-190 new COVID infections daily, which is approximately 8 cases per 100,000 people.
?We clearly need a COVID-19 reboot,? said Dr. Jeff Duchin, the top health officer for Public Health ? Seattle & King County. ?We expected it would be more challenging to manage COVID-19 during the fall and winter as we spend more time indoors and the environment changes, but the virus clearly has the home field advantage right now, and we need to step up our game big time.?
 This evening, we encourage you to read the touching personal story from Charlene Strong, speaking to the Mayor?s extensive history standing up for LGBTQ+ civil rights. Charlene, a former Chair of the Washington Human Rights Commission and local LGBTQ+ leader, wrote this op-ed in the Seattle Times:
Fourteen years ago, I endured the unimaginable ? a storm for the record books produced rain the likes of which I had never seen in Seattle. Madison Valley, where I shared my home with my partner, Kate, was inundated by rising water that fatally trapped Kate in her audiobook studio in our little home?s basement.??
That night I learned that our 10-year relationship had no legal recognition and thus barred me from being by Kate?s side when I arrived at the hospital to be with her in the last moments of her life. In 2006, there were no legal protections for same-sex couples in Washington state and our nation.?
Shortly after Kate?s death, I met Jenny Durkan, who took on the city of Seattle and sued it for neglecting the long-standing flooding issue in Madison Valley that tragically took Kate?s life. I respected Jenny?s leadership and compassion from the moment I met her. It was her encouragement that gave me the strength to testify in Olympia a month after Kate?s death, helping to pass the first of many LGBTQ civil rights victories in Washington state before finally securing marriage equality in 2012.?
At this critical moment in our city and nation, Jenny has been nothing but a strong leader for Seattle during truly unprecedented times ? a once in a lifetime pandemic, a civil-rights reckoning, and the worst economic crisis Seattle has faced in generations. She has continued to do so, all while being subjected to repeated intimidation, threats, and homophobic and misogynistic attacks.
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