2016 Presidential Primary Important Dates

This information is from Washington Secretary of State Elections Division

2016 Presidential Primary

Key Dates for the Presidential Primary and Party Caucuses

• February 20 – Washington State Republican Party Caucuses (for more info: www.wsrp.org)
• March 26 – Washington State Democratic Party Caucuses (for more info: www.wa-democrats.org)
• April 9 – Military and overseas ballots mailed for the Presidential Primary
• April 25 – Deadline to register by mail or online, or update your registration
• May 6 – Presidential Primary 18-day voting period begins / regular ballots mailed
• May 16 – Deadline for new Washington state voter registration (in person only)
• May 24 – Presidential Primary

What is the Presidential Primary?

On May 24, 2016, the Presidential Primary offers all voters an opportunity to participate in the nomination of major political party candidates. These candidates are nominated at each major political party national convention. The political parties may choose to use the Primary results when determining the candidate each Washington State delegate supports at the national party convention.

Can I participate in both the primary and a political party caucus?

Voters may participate in party caucuses and the Presidential Primary, but only on behalf of the same party.

Every voter participating in the Presidential Primary must sign a party declaration stating that the voter has not participated in the other party’s caucus process. Each party will receive a list of voters who chose to affiliate with that party in the primary.

The Washington State Republican precinct caucuses was Saturday, February 20, 2016. The Washington State Democratic precinct caucuses will be Saturday, March 26, 2016. For information regarding party caucuses, contact the state political party organization.

What is the difference between a primary and a caucus?

One of the main differences between a primary election and a caucus is who is running the show. State governments conduct primaries while state parties are behind caucuses. In both processes, voters are selecting candidates who will move on to the presidential election in November.

For more information: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/2016-Presidential-Primary.aspx

Free Tax Help

From: Northwest News Bits

Are you ready for the tax season?  Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service will again provide free tax preparation and electronic filing at 12 North Seattle and Shoreline sites starting February 1st.  This service is totally free; you do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. There is no age restrictions.  If you would like someone to help you prepare and file your 2015 federal income tax return, or maybe simply have a few questions before you tackle your own, Tax-Aide’s IRS tax-certified volunteer preparers at each site can help.  In addition to regular earned and retirement income reporting, we can help you with your investment income (interests, dividends, and capital gains for Schedule D), Schedule C for individuals with small businesses that have less than $25,000 in annual expenses, and various healthcare (Affordable Care Act), education, child and earned income credits. If you are a foreign student, come to our sites at the Northgate Library and Northeast Library.  We have preparers who can help you with your 1040NR-EZ and Form 8843.  If you have a more complicated return, we might not be able to prepare your return, but we can at least point you in the right direction.

All of our sites will be using electronic filing, which helps expedite tax refunds.  AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.  In addition to your tax documents, remember to bring picture ID, together with your social security cards if you want us to prepare your tax return.

Mayor delivers State of the City address 2016

Mayor delivers State of the City address

In his State of the City address before the Seattle City Council, Mayor Murray expanded the City’s commitment to support education, job opportunities and success for all of Seattle’s youth. He also pledged to hire 200 police officers by 2019, doubling his original goal, and outlined new initiatives to support small businesses, foster the arts, and activate urban parks. Murray challenged Seattle’s employers to help double the number of available positions in the Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative to 4,000.

Murray also announced a major expansion of the City’s Utility Discount Program, which reduces utility costs for low-income families by 50 percent. By auto-enrolling more than 10,000 tenants in Seattle Housing Authority properties, the City will reach the Mayor’s goal to double enrollment in the discount program to 28,000 households two years early.

HALA Community Focus Group

Want to serve on a HALA Community Focus Group?

We are looking for community members to serve on our community focus groups that will guide the implementation of HALA. Learn more and complete our application today! Deadline is Friday, February 26. Email us at HALAapplication@Seattle.gov for more information.

What supports would you need to participate fully in a Community Focus Group? The City may be able to provide accommodation. When filling out an application, please indicate which supports would help you participate.

Supports include:

• Child Care
• Transportation
• Translation
• Interpretation
• Small Stipend (for low-income participants only)
• Other (fill in the blank)

Interested in what is happening right now?

learn more about HALA.