(Photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
So far, OutWest Bar has the earliest West Seattle Election Night party crowd we’ve found – as this area’s only LGBTQ bar, its partygoers will be keeping close watch on statewide marriage-equality Referendum 74 when those results start coming in after 8 pm. Meantime, WSB’s Katie Meyer is at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) party:

(This photo and next one by Jill Schmieder for WSB)
The Feedback is filling up, she reports, with cheers for some of the national/other-state results that came in a few minutes ago at 7 pm. The decor: Patriotic.

WEDNESDAY MORNING: It all went so fast – we’re working on galleries to publish this morning instead.

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Unless we missed an unannounced visit, the only major candidate to visit the West Seattle-White Center-South Park area on Election Day was U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, who stopped by the Machinists Union hall in SP this afternoon to lend her voice to a get-out-the-vote phone bank.

Until the 8 pm deadline, political volunteers are working to get out the vote. Michelle shares the photo of Elizabeth at Uptown Espresso, who she says was busy there, “coordinating volunteer door-to-door canvassers for Obama” around mid-afternoon. And Jena shares the next photo:

Those are students from her Tiny Tribe preschool, helping encourage voters earlier today in The Junction. Jena reports their message was: “Vote for our future!” Have an Election Day/Night photo to share? Send it when you can!

P.S. This just in from King County Elections – including an answer to a question some were asking earlier today, regarding ballot-signature challenges:

The first set of general election results are scheduled to be posted to the King County Elections website at about 8:15 p.m. Results will include tabulation of at least 520,000 ballots.

“This is a record-setting election for King County,” said Sherril Huff, Director of Elections. “Not only have we set a new record for number of voters registered this year, we will also have more ballots counted for tonight’s results report than in any previous election, including the 2008 presidential election when we still had polling places.”

There will be only one results report tonight. The Elections Department will update results again tomorrow by 4:30 p.m. and most subsequent weekdays until election certification on Nov. 27. Note that results may not be updated every day if there are not enough ballots to maintain voter privacy.

Voters have up until Nov. 26 to resolve any signature issues before the election is certified.

At 2 pm, a bit past midway through the last day of business for the King County Elections ballot-dropoff van in West Seattle – the part-time semi-replacement for the fixed ballot-dropoff box we used to have in Delridge – we stopped by for one more progress report. They estimated they had already received about 800 ballots by then – and we saw another half-dozen or so go by in the minute or two it took us to take the photo. One more time: You have to either get your ballot to a dropbox or dropoff van by 8 pm, or get it to the Post Office before they stop postmarking for the day (as in, before they close). That’s the only way to be sure it’ll count.

P.S. As usual, there will be one run of King County results, to be announced shortly after 8 pm. We’ll have local/state results when those come in.

(Photos and video by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
A presidential vote this morning at Roxhill Elementary! Above, students listen to Roxhill teacher Christopher Robert, who explained the plan in advance, via e-mail:

The 5th grade teaching team has collaborated for the past three weeks on a project in which students and some staff will finally cast their Presidential votes for either Lilly (Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Julius, the Baby of the World) or Sam (the Library Mouse books). The idea originated when librarian Pat (Bliquez) read Grace for President during Library time. Both classes were learning about the upcoming election during Social Studies time, and we began to think of a way to help make the idea of the Electoral College more concrete for the students. We decided to have an election at school on Election Day.

Instead of choosing between the real presidential candidates, they chose the book characters.

Made sense for a variety of reasons, Robert continued:

Of course, this tied in perfectly with our October unit on character during Readers’ Workshop. Books were read to students either during Library time, as read alouds, or as part of a minilesson during Workshop. Students brainstormed character traits that a President should have, and then they thought and wrote about which of these Presidential character traits were possessed by Lilly and Sam. At the same time, they were each randomly assigned one of the 50 states, and during Computer time, they did some research on their state (nickname, number of Electoral College votes, interesting fact).

We were there for the start of the election proceedings, which Robert explained in advance as follows:

We will gather in the cafeteria. Patriotic music will play as students enter. After a welcome, two students will share their essays, one in support of Lilly, one in support of Sam.

(Our video of the speeches)
We will then begin the alphabetical roll call of states in which students/staff will stand at the microphone with a placard of their state and cast their electoral votes for either Sam or Lilly. We will keep track of the votes as we go along (so a little mental addition will happen). Even if one of the candidates reaches the coveted 270 votes, we will continue the roll call till we get to Wyoming. Finally, a winner will be announced. From there, the 5th graders will retire to the library for a small celebration (patriotic cupcakes). Upon their return to the classroom, students/staff will color a map of their state either yellow (Lilly) or purple (Sam) based on how they voted, and we will place these states as a map on the wall between the intermediate restrooms.

Since we weren’t there for the entire “election,” we have a message out to see which character won.

5:10 PM UPDATE: Teacher Christopher Robert replied – saying Sam the “library mouse” was Roxhill’s choice for president.

A few notes:

LAST-MINUTE VOTING? If you are mailing your ballot – get it to a post office before the last pickup. There is no late-night postmarking. And of course, the ballot-dropoff van is at West Seattle Stadium (off 35th SW just south of Avalon) till 8 pm. If you’re outside West Seattle and wondering about other dropboxes/dropoff vans – where the deadline ALSO is 8 pm, just as it was in the in-person voting era – here’s the list.

ELECTION DAY PRAYER VIGIL: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church invites you to its vigil noon-1 pm today, 3050 California SW: “A prayer vigil for our nation, for all candidates, and for wisdom as we vote for referenda will be held at Saint John the Baptist Episcopal Church. All are welcome to come for prayer, reflection, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

SENATOR IN SOUTH PARK: No candidates are making West Seattle visits today (it’s been a pretty low-key season overall aside from the Jay Inslee sighting on Saturday) but we did just get word that Senator Maria Cantwell, who’s running for re-election (challenged by Republican Mike Baumgartner), will be in South Park for a Get Out the Vote rally at 4 pm (IAM Local 751 Hall, 9125 15th Place S.).

ELECTION NIGHT PARTIES: Our list remains as follows:
Feedback Lounge (photo above; WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW; starts 5 pm)
Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW)
OutWest Bar (California and Brandon; starts 4 pm)
Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW)

Still not too late for us to add to the list – editor@westseattleblog.com or, of course, comment here.

Before the results start coming in tonight, we’ll be roaming to cover Election Day scenes in West Seattle. First, we went to the Fauntleroy overpass, to check on sign-waving. Don’t know if others were there earlier, but at 8:30 am, we found one sign-waver: Chris Porter, with an Approve Referendum 74 sign.

P.S. Still haven’t sent in your ballot yet? The King County ballot-dropoff van is at West Seattle Stadium till 8 pm – no stamps necessary. Turn off 35th SW just south of Avalon.

So far, we know of Election Night parties tomorrow at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), Skylark Café and Club, and OutWest Bar. Anybody else? Or – how about Election Night specials? Pegasus Pizza on Alki is offering pizzas buy one/get one (of equal or lesser value) free on Election Night, either takeout or dine-in. Anybody else – party and/or specials? Let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com – ASAP so we can add it to our list. (And if you haven’t already, GO VOTE!)

The staff of the King County Elections ballot-dropoff van at West Seattle Stadium (wearing orange aprons) has had a busy day already. Not only have dozens of ballots been dropped off …

… but as you can see in the top photo, they also have had a visit from their boss, County Elections Director Sherril Huff (at right in the photo above) and King County Executive Dow Constantine. He and Huff summoned media to the dropoff van to use it as a backdrop for a two-part warning: First, they warned, they strongly urge voters to only use the U.S. Mail or King County Elections facilities (dropboxes, vans, etc.) to get their ballot in. Second, they warned, if anyone takes a ballot from someone else and does not get it to the county – that’s a crime.

While they were careful not to accuse anyone of wrongdoing, they also acknowledged this comes in the wake of the King County Republican Party announcing it will have its own ballot-dropoff vans in some areas, and word that there may be some door-to-door ballot-collection efforts going on (the county does NOT have anyone doing that). The GOP has said it is trying to help in areas of the county where there are no dropboxes or vans. We and other media asked the county officials today if they would be re-evaluating their policies regarding placement of those boxes and vans; Huff said no. Meantime, in West Seattle, the county van will be at the stadium till 5 pm today, again 10 am-5 pm tomorrow, and 7 am-8 pm on Tuesday (Election Day). Huff warned that post offices do not routinely postmark late at night, so if you are waiting till the last minute, don’t expect you can put your ballot in a mailbox Tuesday night and have it count.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: In case you’re interested – our unedited video of today’s event:

Find the list of county dropoff boxes/vans by going here.

Since it’s already Election Day Eve Eve, we’re building a list of Election Night watch parties in this area – not just “we’ll have it on the TV in the background,” but places that are all-out marketing the events as viewing parties and will have the sound up at least for the big moments. So far, we have Skylark Café and Club in North Delridge (which had a packed party in 2008); Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction; which has a brand-new bigscreen; and OutWest Bar between Alaska and Morgan Junctions. Where else in West Seattle, White Center, South Park? Please let us know in comments here, or via e-mail (editor@westseattleblog.com).

We’re going to nag you – or, at least, gently remind you – every day: Dropped off (or mailed) your ballot yet? Today’s image of the dropoff-van team at West Seattle Stadium is courtesy of Admiral photographer David Perry. You can catch them there – drive up, ride up, walk up – till 5 pm today, then again 10 am-5 pm Sunday and Monday, and 7 am-8 pm Tuesday (at which time the voting ends and ballot-tallying begins).

At midmorning, we were at Uptown Espresso in The Junction for an informal meeting that had nothing to do with politics, when suddenly we heard a group at the big central table break out in applause, as a voice loudly thanked them. Turning around, we saw Democratic candidate for governor Jay Inslee standing by the table as he began a short speech to those gathered. From what he said, as well as the campaign signs on the table, it was clear the group was getting ready to go out and doorbell. He only stayed a few minutes, but told them he thinks it’ll be a close election – “maybe 150 votes” – and answered a couple questions, one about job creation, one about disaster preparedness in the wake of Superstorm Sandy (in his view, earthquake preparedness matters most here). (Without a camera handy, we rolled iPhone video, and will check it later to see if there’s anything to add here.) Then, Inslee said, he was off to Tacoma and Olympia.

In the first two hours of the first of five West Seattle days for a King County ballot-dropoff van, about 60 ballots already had come in, according to the team at the van today – Skyler, Cindi, and Kayleigh. They are in the same spot as last time – along the West Seattle Stadium driveway (enter off northbound 35th, shortly before Avalon) – and will be there till 5 today and again 10 am-5 pm tomorrow through Monday, then 7 am-8 pm on Election Day (Tuesday). You can drive up and hand them your ballot, or park, walk up, and put it in the box yourself. They say the pace so far today was much busier than the first day they were here before the August primary. If you want to drop off a ballot somewhere else – close to where you work, for example – here’s the full list countywide.

Separate from the statewide initiative before voters in Tuesday’s election regarding marijuana regulation, the City of Seattle is pursuing a zoning measure that would give the city more regulatory tools regarding medical-marijuana businesses. If you want to hear more about it and/or have questions – be at next Wednesday’s Southwest District Council meeting (7 pm November 7th at the South Seattle Community College [WSB sponsor] board room) – City Council President Sally Clark and Councilmember Nick Licata are scheduled to be there for Q/A on the proposal – detailed on this city webpage.

If you can spare a few minutes, and you haven’t already filled out the city’s survey about budget priorities – they note via Twitter that it closes at 5 pm and they would love to hear from more people before they make the final decisions in the next few weeks. You can take the survey here.

With eight days till the official nationwide Election Day (though voting-by-mail has been under way for a week and a half), three notes today:

DEADLINE REMINDER: In case you missed this in today’s daily preview, last chance to register to vote if you aren’t already registered in this state – get yourself to these locations downtown or in Renton by 4:30!

STUDENT MOCK ELECTION: When results of a national student “mock election” for president come out next Monday, they’ll include results from voting tomorrow right here in West Seattle, as announced by Chief Sealth International High School teacher Noah Zeichner:

Students and teachers at Chief Sealth International High School will be taking part in a national mock election on Tuesday, October 30th. Students will use a state-of-the art online voting system as they participate in a mock election program sponsored by the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), a national civic education program based at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. With approximately one million students expected to vote nationwide during the two-week voting period from October 22-November 1, the YLI Mock Election is the largest secure, student-only online mock election in the nation. Results of the YLI National Mock Election will be available the morning of Monday, November 5, 2012.

BALLOT DROPOFF VAN: Still no dropoff box in West Seattle – but the county will bring back its dropoff van starting this Friday, same spot as the primary, southwest side of the West Seattle Stadium parking lot. 10 am-5 pm Friday-Monday (November 2-5), you’ll find it there, and 7 am-8 pm on Election Day (Tuesday 11/6).

Today’s the day King County Elections is mailing ballots for the November 6th election, which includes the first presidential vote since the county switched to voting by mail, so you might be able to vote as soon as tomorrow. You might already have received a state Voters’ Pamphlet (ours arrived yesterday) – that’s one of two guides you’ll be getting. And if you would rather not put your ballot in the mail, the dropoff van will be back at West Seattle Stadium November 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th. More details on all of the above – and other important voting details – in the county news release ahead:Read More

Don’t let the chance to vote for president, governor, and big ballot measures – marriage equality, taxation, charter schools, marijuana among them – pass you by. TOMORROW is the deadline for registering online to vote – or going online to update your information; the mail-in deadline is already past. Here’s where to start; here’s the King County voter-registration-info page.

Fall is when the City Council goes through the city budget, taking a look at what the mayor has proposed, taking citizen comment, and coming up with final proposals. For an inside look at how the decisions are made and how best to let councilmembers know what you think, join the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce for lunch this Wednesday at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, 11:30 am, to hear from – and talk with – this year’s Budget Committee chair, Councilmember Tim Burgess. You don’t need to be a Chamber member to go; you do need to RSVP, here.

Though the election is just a month away – and voting by mail starts in just a few weeks – there have been few discussion forums in West Seattle, despite the prevalence of hot topics. Just got one announcement, though: A forum with presentations and Q/A regarding marijuana-legalization Initiative 502 is set for 5:30-7:30 pm October 18th at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW). On the pro-legalization side will be University of Washington professor emeritus and substance-abuse counselor Roger Roffman; on the anti-legalization side, Steve Freng, who works with the Northwest High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. All welcome.

Right now, there is one West Seattle resident on the Seattle City Council – Tom Rasmussen. However, he, like each of the other 8 councilmembers, represents the entire city – since they all are elected “at large.” Every so often, a proposal to change that comes up, and a new one is to be unveiled tomorrow: Seattle Districts Now plans a media event Thursday morning in the U-District to formally announce its campaign, which it says already has the support of 90 “community leaders” citywide. Its proposed city-charter amendment – which would require about 31,000 signatures to get before voters next year – would create seven districts, each electing one representative, and two at-large members. Our partners at The Seattle Times have drawn up a map of the proposed districts; all of West Seattle would comprise one district.