Vouchers in Seattle transform participation and funding in local elections

The democracy voucher program in Seattle has successfully increased participation and funding in local elections. More Seattle residents are now engaging in the campaign finance system, making Seattle one of the highest contributor rates in local elections across the nation. This broader base of financial support has also enabled a much wider field of candidates in local races, leading to a decrease in incumbency advantage. The program has significantly increased the representation of people of color, younger, and less affluent voters, resulting in local representatives who are on average more diverse and reflective of the population.