On July 11, 2019, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld Seattle’s voucher-system of public funding of candidates for city council. Elster v City of Seattle, 96660-5. Here is the opinion, which is short. Seattle gives every registered voter a voucher, which can be used by the voter to help any candidate. The voucher is worth $25. Some taxpayers sued, saying the system violates their First Amendment rights, because their tax money goes to some candidates whom those taxpayers disagree with. But the Washington Supreme Court noted that the U.S. Supreme Court had upheld public funding paid for by tax dollars in 1976 in Buckley v Valeo.

The Seattle plaintiffs are preparing a cert petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in this case. It would have been due October 9, but they have obtained permission for a later deadline, and the petition is now due November 8, 2019. 19A345.