(The Center Square) – The Seattle Governance, Accountability & Economic Development Committee is deliberating a levy renewal to fund a public campaign financing voucher program, with signs pointing to city council support.
The city’s Democracy Voucher Program was originally created and approved by voters in 2015 with the intention of increasing participation in local elections across all Seattle demographics and reducing the influence of larger donations in politics.
The way the program works is that eligible residents receive $25 democracy vouchers during local election cycles. These residents can then donate their vouchers to qualifying campaigns.
During the committee meeting on Thursday, city council members indicated support for placing the levy renewal in front of voters on the August primary ballot.
The renewal proposal totals $45 million over 10 years, an increase of $15 million over the $30 million expected to be raised by the current 10-year levy.
According to Seattle Central Staff Policy Analyst Brian Goodnight, the jump in revenue is needed to cover increased administrative costs and is the amount city officials came to that avoided putting revenue in the red under anticipated spending over a 10-year period.
The new tax proposal sets a levy rate of 14 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. The owner of a median value residential property, which is estimated at $920,000 in 2026, would pay approximately $13.07 a year, or $1.09 per month toward the levy.
According to Wayne Barnett, executive director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, less than 17,000 people gave money to a candidate in 2013. But, by 2021, that rose to 68,000 with the help of the Democracy Voucher Program going into effect in 2017.
Notably, the number of contributors fell to approximately 41,000 in 2023, but Barnett notes that number may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera questioned how much of the levy is utilized. According to Barnett, 65% of the levy is spent.
The remaining 35% of generated revenue rolls over each year, but funding only goes toward the Democracy Voucher Program.
Program rules require candidates attend at least three debates ahead of both the primary and general elections, adhere to donor contribution limits, and abide by the maximum campaign valuation.
Contribution limits vary. For instance, a candidate running for Seattle City Council can only accept contributions up to $350 per donor, plus up to $100 in Democracy Vouchers. They must limit their total election spending to no more than $225,000.
The Governance, Accountability & Economic Development Committee did not vote on Council Bill 120957, but is set to do so on April 11. Afterward, the bill is expected to face a final full City Council vote on April 22.
