Julie Wise’s first term as King County Director of Elections was record-setting. Not only did the department successfully administer the largest elections in King County history but Director Wise has consistently led the charge on removing barriers to voting while increasing election security and transparency.

In the November General election, Director Wise captured over 80% of the vote after being challenged by perennial candidate Mark Greene. She was first elected to the position in 2015. Director Wise started with King County Elections in 2000 as a temporary worker assigned to answer the phones and has held nearly every job in the department over her twenty-year tenure.

This Tuesday, January 7 Director Wise will be sworn in for her second term, with another round of lofty goals to keep King County Elections on the cutting edge of community engagement and election innovation. Those goals include expanding the restoration of voting rights for the formerly incarcerated; simplifying the language explaining ballot measures to ensure that all voters fully understand what they’re voting for without wading through complex legalese; increasing participation in primaries and special elections; eliminating non-binding ballot measures; and continuing to expand community outreach and engagement in non-English speaking communities, communities of color, among young people and more.

Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu will swear in Director Wise in a program that includes remarks from King County Executive Dow Constantine and Jaqueline Garcia, the founder and Executive Director of community partner, Mujer Al Volante. Hosted at King County Elections (919 SW Grady Way, Renton), the program will begin promptly at 10 am. Seating will be limited.

Relevant Links

• Directions to King County Elections

Media contact

Halei Watkins
206-477-4111
hawatkins@kingcounty.gov

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