Seattle’s decade-long debate over how to replace the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct might be settled today, as voters decide whether to move ahead with a deep-bore tunnel.
That referendum stands as the most prominent issue in Washington’s scattered primary elections, which are dominated by local issues. No statewide races or measures will be on today’s ballot, but many voters will decide their candidates for mayor, school board, city council and other positions.
About 20 percent of Washington voters do not have an election to decide today, and Secretary of State Sam Reed said he expects the areas that do have races will see low turnout. Still, he encouraged participation.
“These are very important races,” Reed said. “They so directly affect people’s lives. It’s their homes, neighborhoods, streets, parks and schools.”
State and local officials are already poised to move ahead with the proposed $2 billion state Route 99 tunnel in Seattle. Voters will not directly approve or reject the tunnel, but they are essentially deciding whether the City Council has the authority to green-light the project. Voter approval would allow the project to go ahead while a rejection, encouraged by environmentalists concerned about pollution, would complicate the process.
Ballots for the primary election must be postmarked today, or voters can take their ballots to drop-off sites by 8 p.m.
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