King County voters will continue to have the option of going to their computer or their television to learn more about candidates for countywide offices, following the unanimous authorization June 15 for a countywide 2009 Video Voters Guide by the King County Council.

“Ensuring voters are aware of the candidates and their positions is critical to effective elections,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague, sponsor of the ordinance and former Manager of King County Records and Elections. “The Video Voters Guide brings candidates directly to the voters through their TV’s or with just a few clicks of the mouse.”

“Any effort that increases the information available to voters should be encouraged,” said council member Larry Gossett, co-sponsor of the ordinance. “The Video Voters Guide allows you to find out about a candidate at your leisure—and at your convenience.”  

The ordinance requires the county’s director of elections to partner with Seattle on production of the popular program for the primary and general election this year. 

King County and Seattle have partnered on the Video Voters Guide (VVG) in odd-numbered years since 1993.

The countywide VVG includes statements from candidates for King County government, the Port of Seattle Commission, and from speakers on countywide measures. The Seattle version provides statements from candidates for Seattle government, the Seattle School Board, and speakers on citywide measures. Nineteen such races are set for the 2009 election.

On cable TV the VVG is available to approximately 425,000 King County households through an array of local and regional government access channels, including King County TV, the Seattle Channel, and many municipal stations. It is also distributed through many libraries.

The online version of the VVG draws the most users by far of any single program posted on the King