While the majority of Seattle and King County’s election cycles finished in November, there’s one more position that’s still up for grabs — a Seattle City Council at-large seat.
Seattle City Council has two of these citywide seats that are typically on the ballots when we vote for Seattle’s mayor and city attorney.
But 2024 will require a little bit of maneuvering. Teresa Mosqueda — who held Position 8 — was recently elected to a King County Council position and vacated her city spot on Jan. 3. That means Seattle has 20 days to find a replacement.
Still confused? Let’s try to sort it out.
🗳 What is this at-large position?
In addition to the council’s seven district positions, Seattle also has two at-large council members that are meant to represent the city’s interests as a whole.
So while you have your district council member, you can also reach out to either of the two at-large folks for anything you want to discuss. Council President Sara Nelson currently holds the Position 9 at-large seat.
🗳 Why is the council voting on it?
The city charter dictates that the city council has 20 days to appoint a replacement should an at-large council member vacate the position.
The council appointee will keep their seat until November when the city runs a special election to determine a longer-term replacement. The winner of that election will keep the seat until 2025 when the position is regularly scheduled to be up for grabs.
🗳 Who’s up for the role?
Of the 72 eligible applicants for the temporary replacement, eight have been selected as finalists.
- Juan J. Cotto
- Neha Nariya
- Mark Soloman
- Vivian Song
- Steven K. Strand
- Mari Sugiyama
- Linh Thai
- Tanya Woo
Next, the council will host a community forum (still being scheduled) where the public can provide feedback. Then on Monday, Jan. 22, each candidate has an opportunity to address the council before a final vote on Tuesday, Jan. 23.