Elections & Voting
The real issue isn’t when we vote — it’s how well we inform and engage.
By Damon Townsend (May 1, 2025)
There’s a narrative forming around Washington’s April special election — that voters are done supporting local taxes, or that turnout is too low to matter. But a closer look tells a different story.
Across 39 local ballot measures, 26 passed and 13 failed. That’s not a sweeping rejection. It’s a selective approval — a signal from voters that they want local proposals to be clear, credible, and justified. When they are, they get support.
We saw wide variation in participation. Some counties — like Pacific (46.8%) and Columbia (45.3%) — turned out in high numbers. Others — like Grays Harbor (7.3%) — barely participated. But overall, more than half a million ballots were cast statewide. That’s meaningful civic engagement, not an afterthought.
Washington is one of the few states with a comprehensive, quarterly election calendar. We vote in February, April, August, and November — and it’s no accident. This structure keeps elections accessible and predictable. It also keeps our county election staff engaged and ready throughout the year. These aren’t dry runs — they’re essential practice for the big cycles.
Special elections serve a purpose. They allow school districts, fire authorities, and hospital boards to put urgent needs before voters without having to wait for a crowded general election. They give local issues the attention they deserve.
The Cascade Party is watching closely because these are exactly the kinds of local decisions where our platform meets the real world. We support local control, transparent budgeting, and active civic engagement. April elections show whether those ideals are being lived out — or just talked about. When a levy fails, it’s often because trust is missing. When a bond passes, it usually means someone made the case well. Either way, it’s a chance to learn and improve — not an excuse to centralize more power.
Some argue we should move all these decisions to November to boost turnout. But that’s a blunt instrument for a nuanced problem. The real issue isn’t when we vote — it’s how well we inform and engage. If a measure fails because voters didn’t understand it or didn’t trust the pitch, the fix isn’t a different date — it’s better outreach.
The April election was a snapshot of voter expectations: make the case, be transparent, and show results. That’s not too much to ask.
Let’s not abandon the structure that gives our local governments the tools to function. Let’s do the work of earning trust — all year, every year.
Damon Townsend is a Cascade Party board Member, representing district 3/6. He has experience in government administration.
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