Seattle has made news in recent months because of its use of a revolutionary idea to promote democracy – democracy vouchers. This article written by Daniel Beekman and Jim Brunner is published by The Seattle Times opines that these democracy vouchers are a center piece of elections in the city. Here is an excerpt:

Andrew Grant Houston isn’t a typical big-money candidate for mayor with decades-old connections and wealthy donors on speed dial. He’s 32, moved to Seattle only five years ago, supports defunding the police and has estimated his net worth as zero.

But Houston has raised about as much money as any other candidate ahead of the Aug. 3 top-two primary election, piling up hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Most of his donations have come in the form of “democracy vouchers,” which are funded by property taxes and which are being used in a Seattle mayoral race for the first time this year. Each resident can assign four $25 vouchers.

Access the full story here. Also, visit the main Democracy Chronicles section on American Democracy, our section on Money Politics, or our articles on Political Lobbying.