Kittitas County Democrats

06/27/2026

If you look closely at your August 4th primary ballot, you’ll notice something interesting: some positions are marked as "Special Elections" to fill unexpired terms. How does that happen?

Unlike the federal system, a vacancy on the Washington State Supreme Court doesn't lead to a lifetime appointment or a gridlocked U.S. Senate confirmation circus.

Here is how Washington handles midterm vacancies:
1️⃣ The Appointment: When a justice retires or steps down mid-term, the Governor appoints a qualified replacement to keep the court functioning.
2️⃣ The Clock: That appointment isn't a free pass. The appointed justice only holds office until the very next statewide general election.
3️⃣ The Voters' Say: To keep the seat, that appointed judge must run in a nonpartisan election to let the voters decide if they finish the remainder of the term.

This year, Positions 1 and 5 are special elections for appointed vacancies, while Positions 3, 4, and 7 are regular cycles. Our system ensures the court stays stable, but voters always get the final word.

06/26/2026

Did you know that FIVE of the nine seats on the Washington State Supreme Court are on our ballots this year?

As we head toward the August 4th primary, the future of our state’s environmental protections, labor rights, and civil liberties rests on who we choose for our highest court.

Let's break down the basics:
🏛️ The Composition: Our state Supreme Court has 9 Justices. They don't represent specific geographic districts—they are elected statewide, meaning every single voter in Kittitas County votes on every single seat.
⏳ The Terms: Justices are elected to 6-year, staggered terms in nonpartisan elections.
🎂 The Cap: Washington has a mandatory judicial retirement age of 75. This prevents lifetime political entrenchment and ensures a steady rotation of modern legal minds.

This August, we have a vital opportunity to protect a fair, progressive, and balanced court. Over the next few days, we’ll dive into how these judges get there—and exactly what we should look for on our ballots.

Stay tuned!

06/25/2026

Volunteer or stop by and say hello at the Kittitas County Democrats booth at the Ellensburg Farmers Market on Saturday - still slots open. Come chat with neighbors, share information, and help spread the word about how we can make a difference together. No experience needed—just bring your energy and a smile!

📩 Go the link in the image or comment below or DM us to sign up for a shift.

06/25/2026

🗳️ Vote for Accountability in CD4 (next door to CD8)!

Check out this compelling Letter to the Editor recently published in the Yakima Herald by Cle Elum's own Gretchen Chambers.

Gretchen perfectly captures why Central Washington needs a change of course. We need a leader who stands for government accountability, lower costs, and community support—not chaotic self-interest. Air Force veteran John Duresky is ready to fight for us in Congress.

Don't forget to cast your ballot in the August 4th primary!

06/25/2026

Jerry is running for State Legislative Rep. District 13, Pos. 1 - if you missed him at recent Kittitas County Democrats meeting, here is what you need to know about his vision for our community!
Jerry is bringing a bold, progressive alternative to the table for LD13. Jerry is ready to champion structural changes that put working families first;
🗳️ Let’s build a more progressive future for LD13!

I would like to share my recent experience at the 2026 Washington State Democrat Convention. There were highs, there were lows. And I'm excited to share them with you. Despite not being in Office, I’m already making a change. I also want to highlight that you can, too. I was sadly not able to attend all of the Caucus meetings, but the ones I did attend have taught me invaluable information. This was also a great opportunity to network and meet incredible people who provided insight & inspiration. The kind that keeps me grounded in why I am doing this.

06/23/2026

⏳ 21 Days Left: Safe, Secure, & Right From Home

Did you know that Washington State has been conducting entirely mail-in elections for years? Our system is one of the safest, most secure, and most transparent in the entire country.

Whether you choose to drop your signed ballot envelope directly into a secure county drop box or pop it right back into your mailbox with prepaid postage, you can vote with total confidence.

Ballots mail out on July 14. Get ready to show the rest of the state how Kittitas County shows up for democracy! ☀️📬

06/23/2026

Meet more candidates this Thursday

Swing through our meeting this Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 pm at Odd Fellows Hall to meet more candidates on your primary ballot! We will record their remarks and our Q&A with them and post the videos closer to the date of the ballot drop.

Cori McKean, candidate for Kittitas County Coroner

Patricia Todd, candidate for Kittitas County Prosecutor*

Have a burning question for the candidates? Send a DM and let us know! That’ll help us facilitate the conversation and make sure we ask the candidates about your top issues and concerns.

*We had technical issues when recording Patricia Todd’s remarks at the June 11 meeting, and we’ve invited her back so we can re-record her remarks.

06/23/2026

Thank you Bryan Elliott, election workers and crew for making elections run so smoothly and error-free. Great opportunity to see democracy in action.

06/23/2026

As we look toward the final weekend of the month, we are also looking for volunteers to help us close out June with a bang at the Ellensburg Farmers Market this Saturday, Jun 27th

🧺 Join Us at the Market
We need your help to keep the conversations going! Come chat with neighbors, share information, and help us spread the word about how we can make a difference together.

The Students: We love the fresh energy our CWU volunteers bring to the booth!

The "Seasoned" Pros: Our mainstay crew remains some of our most effective communicators—there is no substitute for experience when it comes to connecting with our community.

No experience is needed—just bring your energy and a friendly smile.

Date: Saturday, Jun 27th

Location: Ellensburg Farmers Market

Sign up here: volunteersignup.org/WLQDQ

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to get involved, this is the perfect opportunity. Let’s make this Saturday a great day for Kittitas County! 🥬🗳️

06/21/2026

🌇 Hello, Summer! ☀️⛰️

Happy Summer Solstice! Today marks the official first day of summer and the longest day of the year. Whether you are spending these extra hours of daylight out on the water, hiking the trails, or just enjoying a beautiful Central Washington sunset from your backyard, we hope you have a fantastic start to the season.

How are you spending the longest day of the year? 🌅