by Shelley Kneip, LWVWA Voter Services

The League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund proudly sponsored two high-profile candidate debates in Spokane on October 23. Washington Secretary of State candidates Steve Hobbs and Julie Anderson, along with United States Senate candidates Patty Murray and Tiffany Smiley, chose the League of Women Voters and partners The Spokesman Review and KSPS-PBS TV to host the live debates at Gonzaga University's Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center. It is increasingly challenging to get the candidates, the date, the security, and the venue together, and it was thrilling for the League to take its place as a leader in democracy and voter information.

Thanks to the LWV of the Spokane Area for providing volunteers to assist as ushers and security, and for providing voter education during the debates. With roughly 30 League members volunteering at the event, the audience got to see firsthand the League's work on our mission of Empowering Voters. There were displays and sales for The State We’re In: Washington textbook, as well as lots of buttons, stickers, and brochures for VOTE411 and the "Be a Voter" campaign. They also provided information about voting privileges for returning citizens.

In addition to the approximately 500 people who attended in person, extensive media coverage resulted in the debates being watched or heard online, on the radio, and on television by thousands of voters statewide. The Senate debate was covered nationwide by various media, including C-Span, Fox News, and other national and out-of-state media.

This election cycle local Leagues sponsored more than 40 candidate events. These Leagues used a variety of formats—including debates, forums, speed dating, and mixers—to give the public an opportunity to learn about their candidates. The competitiveness of the races and the innovative ways local Leagues handled helping voters learn about the candidates resulted strong (and informed) voter turnout across the state, as well as national media coverage and increased visibility of our work across the state.