VOTE: There are no ‘off-year’ elections

Ballots have been mailed. Check out the CLC endorsements and GOTV events.

SEATTLE (Oct. 18, 2023) — Elections matter. While presidential elections and midterms get most of the attention, local elections are just as important — the people who run our city councils, ports, school boards, and more important local positions make decisions that directly impact our daily life.

There are no “off-year” elections for working people — every vote counts. It’s essential that workers make our voices heard at every level. United, we’re a powerful force to ensure elected officials do what’s right for working families and our communities. 

Because 2023 is not an election year for statewide and legislative races, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO doesn’t make endorsements. But the WSLC Political Department wants to publicize the endorsements of regional AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils, which lead labor’s local election work, mobilizing working people to support worker-first candidates. 

Ballots are being mailed to voters this week, and must be returned by Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Check out the local CLC endorsements below, fill out and return your ballot in the mail or deposit it at a dropbox near you, and make sure your family and friend also vote. Then, you can help get out the vote by hitting the streets with our union kin to help elect leaders who’ll fight for working people. 

Cowlitz Wahkiakum Central Labor Council | endorses Mike Wallin for Longview City Council Pos. 1, and recommends Ramona Leber for Longview City Council Pos. 2 and Keenan Harvey for Kelso City Council Position 5.

MLK Labor | endorsements and sign up for a canvas

The CLC for King County’s endorsements include alums of the WSLC candidate training program Path to Power, like Anthony Berkley, Maren Costa, Katherine Festa, Joy Hollingsworth, Andrew Lewis, Kyrstal Marx, Tammy Morales, Sarah Reyneveld, and Amber Wise. 

And MLK Labor is running canvases for their endorsed candidates, like longtime labor champion Teresa Mosqueda who is running for King Co. Council. Join MLK Labor now through Election Day for phone banks and canvasses.

Pierce County Central Labor Council | endorsements

Endorsements include Path to Power alum Bryan Yambe running for Fife City Council. 

Snohomish & Island County Labor Council | endorsements 

Endorsements include Path to Power alum Demi Chatters running for Everett City Council. 

Join a Building Trades Knock Out canvass for endorsed candidates for Everett City Council Demi Chatters and Judith Martinez this Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Everett Labor Temple, 2810 Lombard, Room 208, Everett, WA 98201.

Southwest Washington Central Labor Council | endorsements

Endorsements include Path to Power alum Brigid Taylor running for Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue Commissioner. 

Spokane Regional Labor Council | endorsements

Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council | endorsements

If your CLC isn’t listed here, contact your local Central Labor Council to see if they have any 2023 general election recommendations. 

WSLC Wednesdays is a feature of The Stand where different departments of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO describe their recent activities and the services they are providing to WSLC-affiliated unions.