Candidate Endorsements: how do they really work? The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the umbrella organization for over 600 labor unions in the state. In May, they held their Committee on Political Education (COPE) Endorsing Convention, where candidates from both parties came to talk to union delegates in hopes of earning the endorsement of the WSLC. After watching this 5 minute video, you will understand the role that the unions can play in an election. Essential Questions: Objectives:
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Candidate Endorsements: how do they really work? Founded in 1969, the Mainstream Republicans of Washington held their annual conference in May to discuss issues facing the state, endorse candidates for office, and to brainstorm how to combat divisiveness within the state. From panel discussions on the fentanyl crisis and dam removal to Building Bridges across the aisle, Republicans from across the state gathered to exchange views on how to best get Mainstream Republicans elected to office Essential Questions: Objectives:
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State Conventions: what are their purposes in an election year? In June, The Washington State Democratic Party held their 2024 State Convention in Bellevue. Boasting their most diverse delegation ever, delegates from across the state joined together to meet with members of their caucuses, collaborate on ideas on how to strengthen their party, vote to adopt their party platform and resolutions, and formulate a unified message to get Democrats elected. Essential Questions: Objectives:
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One of the responsibilities that a Precinct Committee officer has is to nominate candidates for vacant positions in the Legislature. Learn about how this works from Chirag, a PCO himself.
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How to become a Precinct Committee Officer – There are many vacancies and you are needed! Chirag lays out all the steps for you in this easy to follow guide.
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Precinct Committee Officers are party officials who engage with the population at a grassroots level. From encouraging people to get out the vote, to attending meetings about party business, to even nominating people to fill vacancies in the State Legislature, PCOs are involved in the political process at every level. In this video, you will learn about the important role that PCOs play in the party system as well as why young people should run to become one!
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Senate Page, Vivian Zhang, asks House Community Safety Committee Chair, Roger Goodman (D), and Ranking Member, Jenny Graham (R), how the legislature might balance Police Accountability with Public Safety. The House Community Safety Committee considers a broad array of issues relating to the criminal legal system, including policing; crisis response; crime prevention; criminal penalties and sentencing; impaired driving; adult correctional programs; rehabilitation and reentry; and adult correctional institutions. The committee also considers issues relating to the registration and civil commitment of sex offenders. Overview: During the 2025 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity to interview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest. In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, and the Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on three important policies regarding community safety. Essential Questions: What is Washington State doing to ensure that we are safeguarding the safety of Washingtonians? How do the beliefs of those in the majority party differ from those in the minority party?
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Senate Page, Ella Garcelon asks House Environment & Energy Committee Vice Chair, Victoria Hunt (D), and Ranking Member, Mary Dye (R), about the impacts of Green Energy Incentives. The House Environment & Energy Committee considers issues relating to air quality; aquatic lands; oil spill prevention; solid waste; hazardous waste; toxics; climate change; energy; Puget Sound; the State Environmental Policy Act and the Shoreline Management Act; state parks; and outdoor recreation. Overview: During the 2025 session, Legislative Pages (students ages 14-16) had the opportunity to interview legislators from both the Majority party and the Minority party about issues of interest. In this lesson, students will learn about where the Majority Party, currently the Democrats, and the Minority Party, currently the Republicans, stand on three important policies regarding the environment and energy. Essential Questions:
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House Page, Theron Clements, asks House Environment & Energy Committee Vice Chair, Victoria Hunt (D), and Ranking Member, Mary Dye (R), how recycling policy can address the high cost of recycling. Overview: The House Environment & Energy Committee considers issues relating to air quality; aquatic lands; oil spill prevention; solid waste; hazardous waste; toxics; climate change; energy; Puget Sound; the State Environmental Policy Act and the Shoreline Management Act; state parks; and outdoor recreation. Essential Questions:
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