Government and politics of Seattle facts for kids
Seattle, Washington, is a big city with its own special way of being governed. It uses a system called a mayor–council government. This is different from some nearby cities that use a "council-manager" system. In Seattle, people directly elect their mayor and also members of the city council.
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How Seattle's Government Works
Seattle's government is set up to serve its citizens. The main leaders are the mayor and the city council. These leaders make important decisions for the city.
The Mayor of Seattle
The mayor of Seattle is the city's top leader. Think of the mayor as the city's chief executive officer. They are in charge of making sure the city's services run smoothly. This includes things like public safety, parks, and transportation. The mayor is elected by all the voters in the city.
The Seattle City Council
The Seattle City Council is like the city's legislative branch. It has nine members. Two of these members are elected by all the voters in the city. This means they represent everyone in Seattle. The other seven council members are elected from specific areas, called districts, within the city. Each of these seven members represents the people living in their district. The council's job is to create and approve laws for the city.
Other Elected Officials
Besides the mayor and city council, Seattle voters also elect a city attorney and Municipal Court judges. The city attorney is the city's main lawyer. They give legal advice to the city and represent it in legal matters. The Municipal Court judges handle local legal cases. All these elected positions are considered "non-partisan." This means that when people run for these jobs, they don't officially belong to a political party.
What "Non-Partisan" Means
When an election is non-partisan, it means that candidates don't run as members of a specific political party, like the "Green Party" or "Blue Party." Instead, they run based on their own ideas and qualifications. This can help voters focus on the individual person rather than their party label.
Seattle's Political Ideas
Seattle is known for being a city where many people have what are often called "liberal" ideas. This means that many voters tend to support politicians who believe in things like strong community services, protecting the environment, and helping everyone in the community. These politicians often work on policies that support these goals.
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Seattle City Hall
