Learning to vote the Seattle, Washington way

State capitol building // www.liveolympia.com

It hit me like a ton of bricks today - this will be my first time voting in Washington State elections.  So, it seems problematic that I know more about Gov. Corzine's record in New Jersey or Mayor Bloomberg's attempt to seek a third term in New York than I do about Gregoire and Rossi.

My lame excuse?  Well, yes, I'm still relatively new to the area.  But also, this past year, I've been caught up in the presidential elections. One of my pet peeves is the way in which 9/11 (which directly affected my hometown) has been hijacked.  True - all of America is paying the price for the Iraq War.  But it seems certain politicians co-opt the most hellish day in New York's history  as part of their political rhetoric when it suits their needs, yet turn around and bash the city as a practical Sodom and Gomorrah the rest of the time.

But don't let love for another city or your general newness to the area be an excuse.  As for me, I've found an important unity between New York and Seattle.  All of urban America - with our community organizers and diverse residents who probably don't shop at Wal-Mart - has been accused of being less 'American' than small-town U.S.A.  (Don't get me wrong, I'm from small-town America!) 

So what's the best response? Civic engagement.  Part of that means voting in the presidential election (think about all the attention those swing states get).  But it's also about grappling with the issues that affect us day-to-day.   Sure, a high voter turnout forces politicians take notice.  But beyond that, civic engagement at the state level is a chance to affect palpable change and get a better understanding of the communities we live in.  Try calling that un-American.

Fear not - it isn't too late to get informed about the Washington State elections (you can even still register up to 15 days before with the help of your County Auditor).  For starter's, the 2008 Voters' Pamphlet has a section with job descriptions for a wide variety of elected officials.  The Washington State League of Women Voters, a non-partisan organization, also has a comprehensive site that points you towards finding what candidates and initiatives you can expect to see on your ballot.  There's even information specifically for King County residents with a detailed listing of candidates and measures.