The results of the upcoming election will have a huge impact on our future.
These are words you probably heard last year, during the 2024 presidential race, and perhaps words you weren’t expecting to hear again until the midterms, or even until the next federal election cycle in 2028. But the “upcoming elections” I’m talking about take place much closer to home — and almost no one seems to know about them. I’m, of course, describing the local 2025 elections in Seattle.
This lack of knowledge is reflected in the Lakeside population as well. In Tatler’s October poll of 75 people, 30.5% indicated they had no knowledge at all about this year’s state and local races. Only 11.5% of respondents indicated they had above-average knowledge (4-5 on a scale from 1-5), and only a single respondent selected a 5.
This lack of awareness around our own local elections is disquieting. While larger-scale politics can seem more relevant and worthy of our time, local elections hold vastly more significance for the average Lakeside student and their life, and local elections where it is far easier to enact the change they want to see.
Take an easy example: transportation. I, along with many other students, frequently use Seattle’s public transit, especially the Light Rail. While the train is funded by a variety of sources, the majority of the money comes from local taxes, including the 10.35% Seattle sales tax that is added to purchases from drinks to clothes, according to the Sound Transit website. Voter approval directly impacts the percentage of these taxes that are spent on transit. For example, in 2016, voters increased the percentage of the total portion of the sales and use tax used from from 0.9% to 1.4%. Changes like these can impact quality, speed, and fare price on public transportation — all relevant to youth commuters.
Another way that the impact of voters is easily seen is through the officials they elect. Sound Transit’s Board of Directors, which directly controls how the light rail grows regionally, reserves 9 out of its 17 positions for elected officials, which currently include the Seattle mayor as well as various city council members from cities around the county. Any Lakesider who has ever ridden public transit should understand their stake in the issue now, as it’s clear how they can have a direct impact on riders.
This exact conversation can be had regarding almost any issue: public safety, climate action, even college, as the four Seattle community colleges are funded by the city. Furthermore, school board members are elected during the off-year cycle, which might not have as direct of an impact for Lakesiders, but still affect thousands of youth in our city. And, while these examples may seem trivial compared to issues happening in Congress or across the globe, these local decisions will affect the lives of Seattle residents as well as impact the future for our generation. But when only a fraction of voters show up, and even fewer maintain interest after elections are over, the systems that are designed to help us fail.
Lakeside students are known for being opinionated, engaged, and globally aware. But awareness starts at home. This article is likely to be published just after the election results are in, after anyone can meaningfully canvas or research to vote on issues, but it doesn’t mean that elections like these will never come around again. In the meantime, dedicate a little time to your local news and politicians, maybe even attend your city council meetings. Soon enough, you’ll be voting. When that ballot arrives in your mailbox, make sure you know what to do with it.
