Democracy Voucher Program

It's ! We are answering residents' frequently asked questions about the 2026 Special Election.

Have any more questions? Feel free to drop your question in our comments, or reach out to us at [email protected].

Democracy Vouchers are now available to District 5 residents!

Starting today, District 5 residents will be mailed two $50 Democracy Vouchers they can use to donate to candidates running for Seattle City Council Position 5. To find the list of candidates, visit our website: https://www.seattle.gov/democracyvoucher/i-am-a-seattle-resident/participating-candidates

A vacancy has occurred in City Council Position 5. There will be a special election in 2026 to fill that spot until the regular election occurs in 2027. Only District 5 residents will receive vouchers in 2026.

Democracy Vouchers are now available to District 5 residents! Starting today, District 5 residents will be mailed two $50 Democracy Vouchers they can use to donate to candidates running for Seattle City Council Position 5. To find the list of candidates, visit the link in our bio. A vacancy has occurred in City Council Position 5. There will be a special election in 2026 to fill that spot until the regular election occurs in 2027. Only District 5 residents will receive vouchers in 2026. #DemocracyVouchers #DemocracyDollars #DemocracyVoucherProgram #SeattleElections

Get informed before you vote or use your democracy vouchers! Watch the Seattle & King County Video Voters' Guide to hear directly from candidates on the General Election ballot.

https://www.seattlechannel.org/elections

We are excited to announce that the application period is now open for the 2026 Democracy Voucher Outreach Fund! In 2026, a special election will be held in Seattle City Council District 5, and only residents in this district will receive Democracy Vouchers. We are dedicating $100,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations to conduct outreach in underserved communities in District 5. Proposals are due by November 14 at 4:00 PM. For more information and instructions on how to apply, please visit the link in our bio.

The Democracy Voucher Program partners with community-based organizations to promote civic engagement in underserved communities through Democracy Voucher Program education and outreach.

Their efforts have truly made an impact in democracy voucher participation. Let's support and celebrate the work they are doing to strengthen our communities!

The list of candidates running for office in the Seattle General Election is now finalized! Visit our website to access the list and to learn about the candidates: https://www.seattle.gov/democracyvoucher/i-am-a-seattle-resident/participating-candidates

Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program gives every eligible resident four $25 vouchers to donate to local candidates, making it easier for everyone’s voice to count in city elections.

This spring, our Student Leaders Class met for 10 sessions to explore how the program works, plan summer outreach projects, and get ready to share this resource with their communities, all while earning a stipend for their time and effort.

This year we added three student teaching assistants, who helped with small groups, translation, and outreach while also building their own teaching and leadership skills.

FAQ Friday : How do I get my Democracy Vouchers?

A: If you are a registered voter, you will automatically receive your Democracy Vouchers by mail. You can check your voter registration with King County Elections.

If you are not a registered voter but meet eligibility requirements, you may be eligible apply to receive Democracy Vouchers by downloading the application. The application is available in 20 languages: https://www.seattle.gov/democracyvoucher/i-am-a-seattle-resident/apply-now

If you've misplaced your vouchers, fill out our online form to request replacements: https://www.seattle.gov/democracyvoucher/voucher-replacement

Lost your Democracy Vouchers? No worries, you can still use them!

Just fill out our online form to request replacements so you can support your favorite local candidates! https://www.seattle.gov/democracyvoucher/voucher-replacement

Check out the Video Voters' Guide at seattlechannel.org/elections!

Hear directly from candidates participating on the August 5 ballot before you vote.