Ballot-stuffing error
Some islanders have received vote-by-mail ballots for King County’s Feb. 10 election that include information sheets stating their nearest ballot drop boxes are in places as distant as Renton, Maple Valley, Kent and Covington.
The information sheet is in error: the drop box at the Vashon Library is available and nearest to all island voters, as it has been in all recent elections.
According to a spokesperson for King County Elections, the error occurred when envelopes were being simultaneously stuffed for elections in different communities, with some, but not all, Vashon addresses receiving incorrect information sheets intended for other communities.
Vashon’s drop box is still fully operational, and Vashon ballots should be dropped there, the spokesperson said. Everything else in the ballot envelope islanders received is accurate.
According to County Elections data, 67% of county voters returned their ballots in drop boxes in the November 2025 election. Only 33% returned their ballots by U.S. mail.
Only one measure is on Vashon’s ballot — a vote yes or no for Vashon Island School District’s four-year educational programs and operations levy.
A voter’s pamphlet included in the envelope details that measure. Read The Beachcomber’s coverage of that measure at tinyurl.com/42epezuh.
Without the levy’s passage, cascading financial shortfalls would hit almost every aspect of public education on Vashon, said Interim Superintendent Jo Moccia.
“As the State of Washington does not fully fund public education, the levy bridges the gap in paying for many expenses — including but not limited to principals, classroom teachers and other staff supporting students in the classroom, librarians, counselors, office support, custodians, insurance costs, utilities, safety, family engagement, facilities, grounds and maintenance, and enrichment activities including athletics,” she said.
There has been no visible opposition to the levy, and no one has submitted a statement opposing it to King County Elections for inclusion in the voter’s pamphlet.
Dean’s list
Sarah Choo, of Vashon, was named to Point Park University’s Fall 2025 Dean’s List, the university announced Jan. 22. Choo was among more than 1,400 students recognized. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a 3.5 GPA or higher.
