People in Spokane Are Good At Voting—Way Better Than Portlanders

A look at voting rates across the West Coast shows why Bernie Sanders visits Spokane so often.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) dominated the Democratic presidential caucuses in Washington state March 26, picking up 25 delegates in a much-needed win over Hillary Clinton.

The victory followed a Bernie barnstorming trip. In the space of two weeks, Sanders made multiple visits to the Portland-Vancouver area, Seattle and…Spokane?

Yes, Spokane—and for good reason. The citizens of Spokane vote. In the November 2012 presidential election, Spokane ranked 10th nationally in voter participation, with the highest voting rate on the West Coast.

The Portland-Vancouver area was closer to the national average of 54 percent in 2012—though we still beat San Francisco and Los Angeles, both of which have large immigrant populations who can't cast ballots.

Perhaps Gov. Kate Brown's automatic voter-registry law will help increase Portland's numbers. But we're going to have to get up early in the morning to beat Spokane.

Voter Turn out

Willamette Week

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.