Election Connection

King County Elections (KCE) and the Seattle Foundation (SeaFdn) have released a second round of funding to support community-based voter engagement. Up to $8,000 is available to community-based organizations to support voter education and cultural technical assistance with limited English speaking voters in King County for the 2016 General election.

A significant need among LES eligible voters – specifically immigrant, refugee and indigenous communities – is education and culturally relevant technical assistance around understanding all aspects of the voting and democratic process. Applicants are encouraged to propose activities tailored to the culture and needs of their communities on:

VOTER EDUCATION:  Gatherings (e.g. workshop or ballot party)  or outreach that educates LES voters on various aspects of the voting and democratic process such as voting and democracy 101, process, issues, candidates, deadlines, etc.

CULTURAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:  Culturally and linguistically relevant one-to-one technical assistance to LES voters on completing a voter registration form, a ballot, updating voter information, where to find a ballot box and any other relevant direct support and assistance needed.

Through this second phase of 2016 pilot voter engagement funding, KCE and SeaFdn are seeking to partner with community groups with bicultural, bilingual expertise and with deep roots among King County’s top-tier limited English speaking communities.  Applications are due by 5pm on Monday, July 11. Further details about the application and funding process can be found in the linked application packet.

Technical assistance is available to complete the application. Please contact Cherry Cayabyab, King County Elections, at 206.240.6176/cherry.cayabyab@kingcounty.gov or Aaron Robertson, Seattle Foundation, at 206.240.4031/a.robertson@seattlefoundation.org no later than 1 week prior to the due date for assistance.