Now that the dust has settled on August voting, it's time to take a quick cleansing breath, and turn our attention to the four voter initiatives slated for the November ballot.  

They’re coming from the right side of the aisle, they’ve got some big money, and feisty politicians backing them. 

Northwest News Network state government reporter Jeanie Lindsay joins the pod to talk through all the ballot initiatives voters will decide on in November. 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes.

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editors this week are Catharine Smith and Gabe Spitzer. Our producers are Noel Gasca, Sarah Leibovitz, and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone

Now that the dust has settled on August voting, it's time to take a quick cleansing breath, and turn our attention to the four voter initiatives slated for the November ballot.  
They’re coming from the right side of the aisle, they’ve got some big money, and feisty politicians backing them. 
Northwest News Network state government reporter Jeanie Lindsay joins the pod to talk through all the ballot initiatives voters will decide on in November. 
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes</a>.
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editors this week are Catharine Smith and Gabe Spitzer. Our producers are Noel Gasca, Sarah Leibovitz, and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. Produced by KUOW in Seattle.  

There’s a lot to wade through when it comes to Washington State politics. The drama, the facts, the money, and the movers and shakers. In Sound Politics KUOW host Libby Denkmann and politics reporter Scott Greenstone go beyond the ballot to guide you through what’s happening in local politics, why it matters, and how you can use your vote to make a difference.  

New episodes every week.  

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. 

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producers are Noel Gasca and Sarah Leibovitz. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. Produced by <a href="http://www.kuow.org">KUOW</a> in Seattle.  
There’s a lot to wade through when it comes to Washington State politics. The drama, the facts, the money, and the movers and shakers. In Sound Politics KUOW host Libby Denkmann and politics reporter Scott Greenstone go beyond the ballot to guide you through what’s happening in local politics, why it matters, and how you can use your vote to make a difference.  
New episodes every week.  
<hr>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes">kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes</a>. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producers are Noel Gasca and Sarah Leibovitz. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. Produced by KUOW in Seattle.

Sound Politics

Why our ballot's so big

Sound Politics is talking elections on land... and in space this week. 

Up first: Scott and Libby start a little closer to home, and talk about one of the closest primary races in state history.

It was a tight race to determine who would take second place in the fight for Washington State Land Commissioner. After the first statewide hand recount for a primary since 1960, it looks like Democrat Dave Upthegrove will face off against former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler in November's general election. 

Scott will explain ballot curing - a process Republicans and Democrats used to help voters fix their rejected ballots.

And later: A question from a local political consultant on X inspired Sound Politics to take a deeper dive into a kind of absentee voting that's out of this world. 

A note for listeners: This episode of Sound Politics was recorded before the Washington State Republican Party filed a lawsuit against the King County Elections Director. You can read more about the lawsuit here.

Guest:
Crystal Fincher, political consultant and host of the Hacks & Wonks podcast

Related Links: 
In Washington's closest elections, volunteers go door-to-door to 'rehab' faulty ballots - KUOW

Sound Politics is talking elections on land... and in space this week. 
Up first: Scott and Libby start a little closer to home, and talk about one of the closest primary races in state history.
It was a tight race to determine who would take second place in the fight for Washington State Land Commissioner. After the first statewide hand recount for a primary since 1960, it looks like Democrat Dave Upthegrove will face off against former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler in November's general election. 
Scott will explain ballot curing - a process Republicans and Democrats used to help voters fix their rejected ballots.
And later: A question from a local political consultant on X inspired Sound Politics to take a deeper dive into a kind of absentee voting that's out of this world. 
A note for listeners: This episode of Sound Politics was recorded before the Washington State Republican Party filed a lawsuit against the King County Elections Director. You can read more about the lawsuit <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/king-county-illegally-used-tool-to-fix-problem-ballots-lawsuit-says-118c">here.</a> 
Guest:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://x.com/finchfrii?lang=en">Crystal Fincher</a>, political consultant and host of the <a href="https://www.officialhacksandwonks.com/listen/">Hacks &amp; Wonks</a> podcast</li>
</ul>
Related Links: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/volunteers-rehab-ballots-in-washington-s-closest-elections">In Washington's closest elections, volunteers go door-to-door to 'rehab' faulty ballots</a> - KUOW</li>
</ul>

Can astronauts vote… for lands commissioner?

Sound Politics is getting a little weird this week: Scott is solo hosting, and the pod is taking a break from our regular episode format due to the upcoming holiday weekend. Scott and Libby will be back with your regular 'ol normie Sound Politics next week.

In the meantime, Scott is bringing you a conversation that's all about weird.

Weird - it’s the word that’s been on the tip of plenty of democrats’ tongues this summer, as they try to communicate to voters why they should vote for the Harris Walz ticket in November, and leave Trump behind.

Does any of this labeling work? Scott catches up with two experts about why this strategy may be working for Democrats.

GUESTS:
Madeline Jalbert, postdoctoral fellow with the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public
Ira Hyman, psychology professor Western Washington University

RELATED LINKS:
Is 'weird-checking' the new fact checking?

Sound Politics is getting a little weird this week: Scott is solo hosting, and the pod is taking a break from our regular episode format due to the upcoming holiday weekend. Scott and Libby will be back with your regular 'ol normie Sound Politics next week.
In the meantime, Scott is bringing you a conversation that's all about weird.
Weird - it’s the word that’s been on the tip of plenty of democrats’ tongues this summer, as they try to communicate to voters why they should vote for the Harris Walz ticket in November, and leave Trump behind.
Does any of this labeling work? Scott catches up with two experts about why this strategy may be working for Democrats.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ischool.uw.edu/people/faculty/profile/mjalbert">Madeline Jalbert</a>, postdoctoral fellow with the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public</li>
<li><a href="https://chss.wwu.edu/psychology/hyman">Ira Hyman</a>, psychology professor Western Washington University</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.cip.uw.edu/2024/08/12/weird-checking-new-fact-checking/">Is 'weird-checking' the new fact checking?</a></li>
</ul>

Instead of going high, Democrats are going 'weird'

Sound Politics is at the Democratic National Convention! Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone are breaking down highlights from the convention so far, and how the Washington state delegation is showing up - and showing out.

And later, Libby will take listeners to Redmond for a kind of counter-programming for local conservatives: Summer Freedom Fest 2024.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes.

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producers are Noel Gasca and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

Sound Politics is at the Democratic National Convention! Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone are breaking down highlights from the convention so far, and how the Washington state delegation is showing up - and showing out.
And later, Libby will take listeners to Redmond for a kind of counter-programming for local conservatives: Summer Freedom Fest 2024.
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes</a>.
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producers are Noel Gasca and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

Why our ballot's so big

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