Courting Liberty

PLF's Director of Communications Harold Johnson speaks with PLF Attorney Ethan Blevins and client Mark Elster about how PLF and Mark are fighting back against forcing Seattle property owners, through a new tax, to subsidize other people’s political campaign donations and fund candidates not of their choosing. The first of its kind in the country, Seattle’s voucher program was enacted in 2015 as Initiative 122. During each local election cycle, Seattle residents are each entitled to four $25 vouchers, which they can contribute to candidates for city council and city attorney. Candidates must abide by spending limits, among other mandates, to be eligible. The program will eventually be extended to the mayor’s race. Funding comes from a new property tax levied specifically for this program.