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October 26: SCI recommends that you do NOT mail your voted ballot after this date. Instead, take your ballot to a ballot drop box, or take it to the post office service counter and watch them postmark it in front of you .
>> VOTE EARLY!
USE A BALLOT BOX or Mail by October 26! <<
November 3: Election Day!
November 24: Election Certification (County Canvassing Board certifies county election results).
 SCI Endorsements: Candidates, State Initiatives, and County Charter Propositions Our endorsement decisions were made after careful review of candidate questionnaires, qualifications, experience, records, and alignment with SCI’s values and priorities. We adhere to the same thoughtful approach when making recommendations about state initiatives and the county charter propositions. We encourage our members to learn more about our candidate's campaigns (and volunteer when possible) and to study each of the initiatives and propositions. Most importantly, we encourage you to vote…and vote early! Register to Vote or Update Registration If you, your kids, or your grandkids will be at least 18 years old by Election Day, November 4 — they can vote! Make it a family affair and vote together.
Check Your Voter Status
Guarantee that you are ready to vote in November!
Track Your Ballot
After returning your ballot to an official ballot drop box or mailing it, you can track its status online or sign up for text alerts.
Last Minute Voting Information
if you missed the online or by mail registration deadline for an election, you can still register and get a ballot in person until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
More on Voting in Snohomish County
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PHOTO: Even on a rainy fall afternoon, SCI members come out to take a stand on Refuse Fascism Fridays. These brave souls are making their voices heard on Broadway in downtown Everett.
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Refuse Fascism Fridays —
Americans Against Oligarchy!
Fridays from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Join us for sign waving at locations throughout Snohomish County: Everett, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Marysville, Snohomish, Arlington. Unofficial locations: Tulalip, Lake Stevens, Stanwood, Smokey Point.
> See Locations
Weekly Warm-up Sign Waving
Mondays from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Historic Soapbox Corner (Hewitt & Wetmore Avenues) in downtown Everett.
Join a small but mighty group with signs, flags, and music near the Snohomish County Republican Party office.
Saturday, October 10: ICE Out Event
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm, Second Saturday of every month
Everett Mall Way and 7th Avenue S.E., Everett
Join a sign waving to protest the ICE presence in Snohomish County!
Sunday, October 11: North Snohomish County Indivisible Meeting
2:15 pm – 4:15 pm
Marysville Library – Sno-Isle Libraries 6120 Grove St, Marysville
Sunday, October 11: Connection Meeting
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Snohomish County PUD, 2320 California St, Everett
Saturday, October 17: GOTV Work Party & Sign Making
9:30 am –11:30 am
Snohomish County PUD, 2320 California St, Everett
Attend a work party for No Kings 4 Vote Early to create banners, signage, and folding zines to be used for lit drops. Information and signups will be available for folks who want to participate in sign wavings leading up to Election Day on November 3.
Saturday, October 17: NO KINGS 4 Vote Early!
Just 18 days before the midterm election, this is the time to show up and celebrate the power of the people!
11:30 am – 4:00 pm
Snohomish County Campus Plaza, 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett
We will be hosting a concert followed by a sign waving on Broadway. Ballot boxes in Snohomish County will be open by October 9, which means VOTE EARLY! Bring your ballots to the box at the campus!
> Register HERE
Sunday, October 25: Climate and Environmental Advocacy Team Meeting
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Carl Gibson Center, 3025 Lombard Ave, Everett
Sunday, October 25: General Meeting
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Carl Gibson Center, 3025 Lombard Ave, Everett
Social time with snacks 2:30 – 3:00 pm
We are pleased to be joined by Sawyer McCrabb of Fix Democracy First who will be speaking on People Only Election
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| Safeguarding Your Vote: A Visit to the Snohomish County Elections Center |
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| It seems simple. You get your ballot, fill it out, and mail it — even better you take it to a handy ballot box. Then presto, you get the results online or in the paper or by watching the news. It’s like magic. A recent tour of the Elections Center proved otherwise — the magic comes from hundreds of hours put in by employees and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure that all votes are verified and safe.
The process starts in “the basement” of the building on the Snohomish County Campus. When ballots arrive there from the drop box or the post office they are sorted. Things to check for? Are they all facing the same direction? Are they all from Snohomish County? (NOTE: It is OK to drop your ballot into any box in the state…due to a careful sorting process, your ballot ends up in the correct county!)
That’s how the extraordinarily careful and secure trip from ballot box to the final count begins.
There is intense signature verification comparing your writing to samples on file (from your driver’s license, voter registration, etc.). All challenges are checked by second and third teams.
In the extraction room, envelopes are opened by hand to check the number of ballots — some envelopes have two ballots from a household, are empty, or contain entirely different contents such as a bill (triple check what goes in your envelope!).
Then each ballot is scanned and reviewed to look for skipped votes or over votes — ensuring voter intent is always the goal.
These are just a few of the extensive steps it takes to get your vote counted. It is not magic. It is a time consuming and impressive process that safeguards your ballot when you vote in Snohomish County.
ACTIONS:
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| At September Meeting, SCI Learns What's at Stake with I-645 |
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The well-attended September 27 general meeting centered on a presentation and Q&A with David Baker, the No on 645 coalition's campaign organizer for Seattle and King County.
Baker explained that Initiative 645, backed by multimillionaire Brian Heywood, would repeal Washington's 9.9% tax on income above $1 million. The resulting $13 billion loss to the state budget would negatively impact public education, including eliminating most free school lunches. The budget loss would also harm small businesses, working families, and increase healthcare costs across the state. Baker also rebutted misleading claims from the initiative's supporters and pointed attendees to no645.com for more information.
Meeting attendees were encouraged to join the upcoming local No Kings early voting and concert event on Saturday, October 17th, and SCI's endorsement of Ian Birk for Washington State Supreme Court.
On their way out, many attendees picked up “No on 645” yard signs for display! |
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| September 13th Connection Meeting: All About Volunteering |
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The connection meeting began with an enthusiastic presentation about volunteering with Snohomish County Indivisible (SCI), presented by Brian Saulsman, who pitched why someone might want to consider taking a more active role in the work that SCI is doing.
 As part of the presentation, members were invited to reflect on what SCI means to them, and to assess whether they wanted to expand their relationship with the organization through volunteering. There was an active discussion, and in the end, people shared their responses to the presenter’s prompts. Snohomish County Indivisible is always seeking new ideas and additional volunteers.
Once the room calmed down, members chose to discuss the upcoming election, or to write post cards to get out the vote. The most important take away from the election discussion was the importance of returning your ballot through a Snohomish County Drop Box, rather than using the United States Postal Service to return your ballot. It is important that all votes are on time and counted.
PHOTO: During his presentation about volunteering, long-time beekeeper and SCI member Brian Saulsman encouraged the audience to “step up” using an analogy about bees and how efficiently they work together. |
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New Member Focus
Name: Patti
Expectations: Patti recently retired to Snohomish County, saying that since she was raised in Oregon, she is a Northwesterner at heart. She’s always been politically active and signed up with SCI at a recent No Kings rally. Patti attended the September Connection meeting to learn more about the current candidates, “I wanted to see how I can help save democracy and make the world a better place!”
Reaction to her first meeting: She says it was fun learning how it all works. The meeting was inspiring with great people. “I’ll keep coming!”
Welcome Patti!
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| September 12 NSCI Meeting: Hands Off Our Vote |
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The North Snohomish County Indivisible September meeting’s emphasis was on voting. NSCI welcomed SCI Deputy Director Paula Townsell to the meeting where she spoke about the importance of becoming involved in getting people out to vote.
Anne Bush shared information from the Indivisible Hands Off Our Vote training after which there was an enthusiastic exchange of ideas including how to make sure people were registered and how to spread the message about the importance of early voting.
NSCI member Joe Beck then shared his plans for organizing a forum for candidates in the 39th Legislative District. There was also a report about the September 8 Marysville City Council meeting where there was a discussion about whether or not the current data center moratorium should continue as planned until January — it was decided to keep the moratorium in place. A few people spoke about data centers and asked if they should even be allowed. According to the report, the council meeting turnout was small and disappointing, so the NSCI members concluded their September meeting by sharing ideas for moving forward.
PHOTO: From left to right: Bill Barrett, Andrew Grove, Anne Bush, Paula Townsell, Suzanne Grove |
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| Candidate Endorsement: Judge Jaime Hawk, State Supreme Court, Position 3 |
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“I love being a trial judge,” says Superior Court Judge Jaime Hawk, who after more than 20 years of protecting the rule of law and the rights and freedoms of Washington citizens, has her sights set on Position 3 of the State Supreme Court.
Her passion for the law and justice began early on when she watched her single mom struggle with the challenges of a paycheck-to-paycheck existence. That passion expanded when she became a member of the mock trial team and co-captain of the debate team as a senior in high school, learning more about courts, trials, and advocating for clients. She says, “By the time I got to college, I was on the path. I knew I wanted to help provide access to justice, to help people who couldn’t hire a lawyer.”
While at Gonzaga University, Judge Hawk got the opportunity to travel — spending a year in Italy and ultimately visiting far-flung countries such as Africa and India. She calls it “a transformative, inspirational experience.” She still delights in travel, learning about other legal systems and human rights issues, as well as exploring undiscovered towns and villages.
In her current position as a Superior Court Judge, she says, “I work really hard to help folks feel heard and respected — I understand the real-world consequences of judicial decisions on families, on communities, and on the most vulnerable people in our state.”
In addition to her judicial duties, she shares her knowledge and experience with young people, including involvement with a middle school program called Color of Justice that gives kids the opportunity to explore careers in law. She says, “My mock trial experience inspired me — I’m passionate about planting the same seeds.”
Snohomish County Indivisible is endorsing Judge Hawk for State Supreme Court, along with more than 100 current and retired judges from across Washington and more than 50 labor, women’s rights, senior advocacy, and Democratic organizations.
With her passion for justice and protecting the rights of all people…Jaime Hawk is clearly the right judge for the job.
ACTION: Read more about Judge Jaime Hawk. |
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| Candidate Endorsement: Clyde Shavers, Washington State Representative, District 10 |
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 The tenth legislative district has a representative in Clyde Shavers who is hard working, accessible, and effective. He is a veteran and a graduate of Yale Law School. Through his experiences, he has become a forward-thinking legislator seeking solutions to the difficult problems that we all face.
Rep. Shavers has been working hard for his constituents since he was elected in 2022. He has sponsored or co-sponsored 28 bills in the past biennium alone. He serves on three legislative committees and is Vice Chair of the House Education Committee. He also serves as Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore, where he helps to moderate floor debates.
He is also accessible. Rep. Shavers wants people to reach out and share their stories with him. Some of his proudest moments serving as a legislative representative come from hearing a concern, and then addressing that concern though the legislative process.
Rep. Shavers is proud of how effective he has been for his district. He has passed numerous bills that address the needs of his constituents. He has worked on retaining property tax exemptions, limiting unfair water rate increases, expanding health care access, promoting Core plus in our schools, and supporting the emerging clean fusion energy industry.
Rep. Shavers sees that people of all political stripes often share common struggles. He addresses these struggles by listening to their stories, determining how legislative action might help, and then working to get the bills before the legislature. He deserves your support in the upcoming election.
ACTION: Learn more about Representative Clyde Shavers. |
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| Volunteer Spotlight: Jarucia Jaycox Nirula Seized an Opportunity |
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 Jarucia’s first act of volunteerism was helping her dad at a pancake breakfast in 1986. Today she does this with her son. Her volunteer experiences include union shop steward, Cub Scout den leader, and campaign canvasser. “I tend to pick tasks that are loosely organized and need a lot of structure, so I create it,” she says.
Seeking connections with people in her community, Jarucia attended an SCI event and thought, “These people are committed! Where do I fit in?” She kept attending events and, after talking with SCI Founder/Director Anita Dietrich, she seized the opportunity to spearhead election postcarding.
Postcarding is a discrete project that offered Jarucia broad freedom to organize and implement. It can be done by oneself or in a group; many people who do not or cannot participate in traditional political activism, such as marches or meetings, enjoy engaging with the activism of postcarding. SCI began postcarding in the 2020 election cycle; however, the activity lapsed after a few years. This year more than 9,000 postcards have been distributed to SCI volunteers in two election cycles.
Looking to get involved in SCI? Jarucia’s advice: Assess your skills and time availability; be honest with yourself about what you can and want to do. Ask how you can contribute – SCI will find something worthwhile for you to do.
ACTION: Volunteer! Join or start an advocacy group, volunteer with SCI-endorsed candidates, or join the tech team. All skills are welcome and needed for occasional or ongoing SCI activism. |
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| LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Team: Standing Up Against I-001 and I-638 |
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| It's been a busy season for the SCI LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Team. Working with No Hate in Washington State, Seattle Indivisible, and Washington Indivisible Network (WIN), the team created flyers opposing I-001 and I-638, which were shared with Democratic district reps while tabling at the September Washington State Democratic Committee meeting.
 Team members also spoke at city council meetings in Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Mountlake Terrace, and Edmonds in support of resolutions opposing the initiatives.
At the team's quarterly on-site meeting, North Seattle Progressives led a canvassing and literature drop training session. A transgender athlete and youth organizer helped prepare the team for questions the public may pose about 638.
The team also supported SCI HQ's midterm voting postcard effort and created a literature distribution plan for “purple” cities. In October, volunteers will cover Snohomish, Silver Firs, Silver Lake, and Lake Stevens, and will hand out materials at weekend markets in Edmonds, Everett, and Snohomish. |
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| Climate and Environmental Advocacy Team Meeting: The War on the Environment |
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| While much of the world's attention has been absorbed by war, inflation, and injustice, the Trump Administration's war on the environment has accelerated like wildfire in this president's second term.
Slashing the amount of protected public lands and gutting protections for threatened species of wildlife were among topics discussed at a meeting of Snohomish County Indivisible's Climate and Environment Advocacy Team on September 27.
The administration is opening more public areas to mining, drilling, logging, and development. It has, for example, repealed the “roadless rule,” which protects parts of national forests from motorized vehicular access.
All this is being done while environmental disasters continue unabated around the world. Also discussed at the meeting was the catastrophic collapse of a melting glacier in Nepal in August, killing at least 1,400 people with 6,000 still missing as of late last month.
Fortunately, there are ways to push back including donating to groups such as the Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Earthjustice to help their legal teams fight the administration at every turn
ACTIONS:
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| Environmental Tip of the Month: Celebrating Halloween with Care |
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| Halloween is one of our most celebrated traditions. It is also the oldest, with its roots tracing back more than 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, a spiritual event marking the end of the “days of light” and beginning of the “days of dark.”
T oday, what began as a festival in harmony with nature has become its nightmare: Tons of synthetic costumes, plastic decorations, and candy wrappers end up in landfills. Face paints made with toxic chemicals wash into waterways. Candy made with cocoa and palm oil devastate rainforests. Pumpkins rot in landfills creating methane.
If we are to save our planet and ourselves, we need to rethink our Halloween choices. Here are some holiday alternatives that are friendly to Mother Earth:
- Pumpkins: Compost or donate to zoos or farmers. Feed pieces to squirrels and seeds to birds and use the meat in yummy soups and breads.
- Candy: Buy “fair trade” organics that are wrapped in cardboard or foil OR give non-candies such as crayons or wooden toys and puzzles.
- Costumes: Transform old clothes and second-hand thrift finds or swap with friends! Focus on organics…cotton, hemp, or cardboard.
- Decor: Use natural items like twigs, leaves, pinecones, nuts, corn, gourds, and hay bales. Buy only items you’ll reuse!
We don’t need to sacrifice the joy of our celebrations, but we must align them with sustainable alternatives. Reimagine. Be creative. Think outside the commercial plastic box. Be the better ancestors for those who follow…celebrate with care!
ACTIONS: Discover more tips for making Halloween an Earth-friendly holiday!
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Get the Facts!
Don’t be fooled by questionable sources. The Media Bias Fact Check allows you to search and learn the bias of news media using a database of more than 9,000 trusted media sources, journalists, and politicians. |
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CREDITS Many thanks to the talented volunteers without whom this newsletter would not exist!
Editor: Betsy Case | Writers: Gwen Campbell, Jarucia Jaycox Nirula, Natalie Raines, Brian Saulsman, Bill Sheets, and Richard Swanson. | Technical assistance: Cass Roy | Production: Emily Walker | Graphic designer: Katrina Lyon
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SUBMIT A STORY IDEA
Do you have a great story idea or know a volunteer who deserves recognition? This is your newsletter — let us know what you want to read about!
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MISSION STATEMENT As part of a national grassroots movement of Indivisible groups, we are dedicated to electing progressive leaders who embody our values and work toward the passage of legislation that reflects those principles. As a nonpartisan organization, we are committed to building and strengthening partnerships with like-minded activist groups across Snohomish County that reflect our shared values.
We advocate for the implementation of bold progressive policies, striving to ensure a strong democracy. We achieve this by organizing efforts to amplify our voices to elected officials, ensuring that our democracy is free from local and national policies or legislation that marginalizes the vulnerable and undermines our health and well-being. We are committed to promoting equality, fairness, and justice for all through education and activism.
Revised Voted and Adopted: August 2025
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