KGMI News
SEATTLE, Wash. (AP) – A new lawsuit is challenging Seattle’s first-in-the-nation voucher system for publicly financing political campaigns.
It was passed by voters in 2015 and is being used for the first time in this year’s City Council races.
Mike McQuaid with the South Lake Union Community Council tells KING-5 it’s a great program.
“Anything that encourages a population to get involved in the election process, to vote, and to feel like they’re truly engaged in it, that’s a positive for us.”
Seattle’s voters decided to tax themselves $3 million a year in exchange for four $25 vouchers they can sign over to candidates.
The lawsuit says it forces people to pay taxes to support candidates they don’t agree with – in violation of their free-speech rights.
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