About Prop 1
In 2015, more than 63% Seattle voters approved Initiative 122, creating the first-in-the-nation Democracy Voucher Program to give everyone a stronger voice in local elections and limit the influence of big moneyed interests.
The program gives every eligible resident four $25 vouchers they can use to support candidates running for local office. Candidates who qualify and agree to strict rules and spending limits can receive these vouchers as part of their campaign funding.
Proposition 1 renews this program by continuing a small property tax for Seattle residents.
Vote YES on Prop 1 by August 5.
Protect Local Democracy in the Face of National Attacks
Across the country, voting rights are under attack, billionaires are flooding elections with dark money, and efforts to silence the voices of everyday people are growing. Here in Seattle, we’re doing something different — and it’s working.
The Democracy Voucher Program has increased participation from renters, low-income residents, and communities of color. It has made our elections more competitive and representative. It has given candidates without wealthy connections a real shot at running and winning. Learn more
A Small Investment with a Big Impact
Prop 1 renews a modest property tax levy — about $13 per year for the owner of a median-value home — to fund the Democracy Voucher Program for another 10 years. It’s a small price to pay for a stronger democracy, more accountable leadership, and a government that truly reflects the people it serves.
If we let this program expire, we risk going backward — back to a system where only the wealthy and well-connected get heard. We can’t let that happen.
Seattle Can Lead the Nation Again
Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program has become a national model for campaign finance reform. Cities across the country are watching what we do next. Let’s show them what real democracy looks like — powered by people, not special interests.
Together, we can protect and strengthen our local democracy.
About the Program
What is the Seattle Democracy Voucher Program?
The Seattle Democracy Voucher Program (DVP) is a first-of-its-kind small donor campaign financing system that gives every eligible Seattle resident four $25 vouchers to contribute to the local candidates of their choice. The program was created by a voter-approved initiative in 2015 to amplify the voices of everyday people, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and promote fair representation in City Hall.
How is the program funded?
Since 2017, the program has been funded through a 10-year property tax levy, which expires at the end of 2025. The proposed renewal would authorize continued funding through 2035 at a modest increase — about $13 per year for the owner of a median-value home.
Who can use democracy vouchers?
Anyone who is eligible under federal law to make political contributions and is a Seattle resident can participate in the Democracy Voucher Program. That includes Seattle residents who are at least 18 years old and are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents. This inclusive approach ensures more voices are heard in our elections.
Program Outcomes
Does the Democracy Voucher Program actually work?
Yes — Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program is working exactly as intended, and in many ways has exceeded expectations. Since launching in 2017, it has transformed how campaigns are run, who runs for office, and who participates in our local democracy. Over 105,000 residents have used their vouchers since 2017. Seattle’s donor participation rate has increased more than fivefold. The vast majority of voucher users had never contributed to a local campaign before. Voucher users now closely mirror the city’s income demographics. More candidates are running competitive campaigns — including many first-time, women, BIPOC, and younger candidates. The Democracy Voucher Program is a proven tool for strengthening our local democracy — and it’s working. More information here.
How has the program changed campaign funding in Seattle?
Since the Democracy Voucher Program launched, the share of campaign dollars from small contributions under $100 has surged 156%, while large contributions over $250 have declined 93% since the program began. Out-of-city donations dropped dramatically — by 84% for council district races, 79% for at-large races, and 75% for mayoral races.
What communities benefit most from the program?
The program strengthens the voices of everyday people in local elections, especially for communities historically left out of politics. The program has especially increased participation among lower-income residents and communities of color. By 2021, the lowest-income residents were slightly overrepresented among voucher users, and the racial diversity of voucher participants grew, helping correct the imbalance that existed in campaign giving prior to the program.
Has the program increased voter turnout?
Yes. A study from UC Santa Barbara found that the Democracy Voucher Program boosted voter turnout by nearly 5 percentage points — a significant impact in traditionally low-turnout local elections.
Has the program helped diversify the candidate pool?
The program has lowered financial barriers to entry, leading to more competitive races and a more diverse candidate pool. A University of Washington study found an 86% increase in the number of candidates per race. In 2023, 100% of general election candidates participated in the program.
Levy Renewal Details
What exactly is being proposed?
The City is proposing a 10-year renewal of the existing property tax levy that funds the Democracy Voucher Program, raising $4.5 million annually. That’s an inflation-adjusted increase from the current $3 million annual funding level. This modest increase will only cost the average homeowner approximately $13 per year, a small investment for a more inclusive and accountable political system.
What happens if the levy isn’t renewed?
Without renewal, the program would lose its dedicated funding. The City would have to choose between reducing or eliminating the program — or covering its costs through the General Fund, which faces long-term budget shortfalls.
Why should we renew the program now?
Now more than ever, it’s critical for Seattle to invest in and strengthen our democracy. Across the country, we’re seeing dangerous rollbacks of voting rights, attacks on democratic institutions, and growing efforts to silence the voices of everyday people. Billionaires like Elon Musk and other ultra-wealthy individuals are pouring unprecedented amounts of money into elections, seeking to drown out working families, renters, young people, and communities of color.
In the face of this national crisis, Seattle has an opportunity — and a responsibility — to lead. The Democracy Voucher Program is a nationally recognized model for what a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable democracy can look like. It’s proof that we can reduce the influence of big money, can expand participation, and can give regular people a stronger voice in who represents them.
Renewing the program now ensures we don’t lose ground. It protects a tool that is already delivering real results — empowering voters, shifting power away from special interests, and making our elections more fair and representative. Letting the program lapse would send the wrong message at the worst possible time. This is our chance to show the country that democracy can work — and that Seattle isn’t backing down from the fight to make it stronger.
Addressing Common Questions
Why invest in this program when Seattle has other urgent needs?
A stronger democracy helps us make progress on all the issues that matter — housing, schools, public safety, and more. To make real progress on the issues that matter most, we need a local government that’s accountable to us — not to lobbyists, corporations, or wealthy donors. Democracy Vouchers are a smart, strategic investment in a more representative and responsive city government.
When campaigns are powered by ordinary people instead of big money, elected officials spend more time listening to their constituents — and less time fundraising from special interests. That means better policy outcomes and greater public trust in the decisions our leaders make.
And in terms of cost? The program represents a tiny fraction of the city’s overall budget — just a few dollars per resident per year.
If we want to solve big problems, we need a government that reflects and responds to the people — and that starts with how we fund our elections. The Democracy Voucher Program is how we build the kind of democracy that delivers for all of us.
Is there any evidence of misuse or abuse of democracy vouchers?
Seattle’s Democracy Voucher Program is built with transparency and accountability at its core — and there’s no evidence of widespread misuse. The Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) enforces strict rules, and violations carry serious consequences under city law.
There are robust legal safeguards in place, including strong criminal penalties: Anyone who commits theft, forgery, or unlawfully transfers (traffics) Democracy Vouchers can face up to $5,000 in fines and up to 364 days in jail. If a participating candidate exceeds the spending cap, they can be fined twice the amount overspent. And candidates or campaigns that fail to meet reporting deadlines can be fined $75 or more per day until they comply.
In addition to these legal deterrents, the program’s transparency makes abuse difficult. Every voucher is trackable, and contributions and expenditures are publicly disclosed. Together, these safeguards help ensure the program is fair, secure, and accountable.
What about fringe candidates or people gaming the system?
The Democracy Voucher Program includes strong rules to ensure that only serious, viable candidates qualify for public funds — and to prevent misuse by fringe candidates or outside groups. To participate, candidates must meet strict eligibility criteria, including collecting a threshold number of qualifying contributions and signatures from Seattle residents. They must also agree to spending limits, participate in public debates, and follow rigorous public reporting requirements.
To further protect the integrity of the program, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) enacted tough rules to curb abuse — including restrictions on paid voucher collection. These rules are designed to prevent any effort by fringe candidates or outside interests to manipulate the system or take advantage of voucher users.
Together, these safeguards ensure the program supports genuine community-backed candidates and remains fair, accountable, and focused on empowering everyday residents — not political operatives or opportunists.
Why not make other changes or improvements to the program now?
The proposal currently before the City Council to place the levy renewal on the August ballot includes more than just funding — it also calls for the creation of a working group in 2026. That group will partner with the SEEC to explore potential improvements that build on what we’ve learned from the program’s first several election cycles. Their goal: strengthen, modernize, and future-proof the program while keeping it responsive to the needs of Seattle residents. Improvements to the program don’t require a ballot measure. The Seattle City Council and the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) already have the authority to make updates at any time. They’ve already made a few program tweaks in response to feedback over the past few years, and the workgroup will ensure a deliberate process that engages all stakeholders.
Have Independent Expenditures (IE) and PAC spending gone up since the Democracy Voucher Program started?
Independent Expenditure (IE) and PAC spending has increased across the country — including in Seattle — but this trend began well before the Democracy Voucher Program (DVP) and is largely driven by changes in federal law, not local campaign finance reform.
The 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate and special interest spending in elections through independent expenditure campaigns. Since then, IE spending has risen dramatically in every level of government, including Washington’s municipal elections — with or without public financing programs in place.
In Seattle, IE spending peaked in 2019, not because of the DVP, but due to unprecedented spending by a handful of large corporate interests. Since that peak, IE spending has actually declined in Seattle — even as the DVP continued to operate and thrive. In contrast, cities like Spokane — which do not have public financing — have seen even sharper increases in IE spending. In Spokane, IE spending rose 1,225% since 2009, while campaign spending rose 212%. IEs now make up nearly half of all campaign-related spending there.
In Seattle, IE spending peaked in 2019 and has declined each year since, thanks in part to broader campaign finance reforms. What this tells us is the DVP is not driving the rise in IE spending — in fact, it’s one of the few tools Seattle has to counter it. By empowering everyday people to support the candidates they believe in with real dollars, the program reduces candidates’ reliance on big money and boosts grassroots power. In a post–Citizens United world, we can’t stop all outside money from flowing in — but we can build systems that put more power into the hands of Seattle residents. The Democracy Voucher Program is a proven way to do that.
I’ve heard, “this is welfare for politicians.” Is this true?
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Democracy Vouchers are not giveaways — they’re a tool for accountability and grassroots empowerment. Candidates have to earn the right to use public funds, and they do that by proving they have real community support.
To qualify for Democracy Vouchers, candidates must collect a minimum number of small-dollar donations and signatures from Seattle residents; agree to strict spending limits; participate in public debates; submit to ongoing financial reporting and oversight. That’s not welfare — that’s democracy at work.
The Democracy Voucher Program flips the old campaign finance system on its head. Instead of a few wealthy donors dominating our elections, it gives everyday people — renters, students, small business owners, and working families — real power in choosing who represents them. Candidates don’t receive a cent unless they follow the rules and demonstrate broad community support. And if they break the rules, they face serious penalties.
This program is about making sure that public office is accessible to anyone with ideas and community backing — not just those with wealth or connections. It’s a way to restore trust, ensure accountability, and make local government truly work for the people it serves.
Does the Democracy Voucher Program give incumbents an unfair advantage?
No. In fact, research shows that the Democracy Voucher Program has made Seattle’s elections more competitive — not less — and has reduced some of the structural advantages incumbents have historically enjoyed.
A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Public Economics found no evidence that the program boosts support for incumbents. Instead, it helped expand the pool of viable candidates — a sign that the system encourages broader participation rather than entrenching those already in power.
Local data backs this up. Since the program began, Seattle has seen a 36% drop in the number of incumbents running for re-election and a significant increase in candidate participation. A University of Washington study found an 86% increase in the number of candidates per race — about three more candidates per race — following the program’s implementation. Many of those candidates were first-time contenders, including more women, people of color, and younger individuals, who cited the Democracy Voucher Program as a key reason they were able to run.
By reducing reliance on wealthy donors and encouraging grassroots campaigns, Democracy Vouchers help shift power away from entrenched interests and toward a more representative set of leaders — without giving incumbents an unfair edge.