Shannon Grimes
Shannon Grimes is the Lead Researcher with Sightline’s Democracy program, where she focuses on advancing electoral reforms in Washington and Oregon, including ranked choice voting, proportional representation, and Seattle’s innovative Democracy Voucher program.
Shannon’s prior work includes policy areas from food systems to caregiving, in the public, social, and philanthropic sectors. She has a BA from Bowdoin College and an MPA from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington.
Outside of Sightline, you might find Shannon hiking in the mountains, shoveling compost in a community garden, or planning her next cooking project.
Shannon’s prior work includes policy areas from food systems to caregiving, in the public, social, and philanthropic sectors. She has a BA from Bowdoin College and an MPA from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington.
Outside of Sightline, you might find Shannon hiking in the mountains, shoveling compost in a community garden, or planning her next cooking project.
Webster Chang
Webster Chang
Latest articles
How Threats to Voting by Mail Could Affect Cascadia
Analysis for voters in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Analysis for voters in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
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Districts Won’t Truly Represent Deschutes County Residents
Proportional representation can better reflect voters’ views than arbitrary lines.
Proportional representation can better reflect voters’ views than arbitrary lines.
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For Oregonians, Better Elections Are Hidden in Plain Sight
The state’s constitution lets localities opt for methods that better reflect their mix of voters.
The state’s constitution lets localities opt for methods that better reflect their mix of voters.
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Seattleites Keep Their Model Campaign Finance Reform Program
City voters renewed funding for their iconic democracy vouchers.
City voters renewed funding for their iconic democracy vouchers.
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Seattle’s Democracy Vouchers Are Popular Across the Political Spectrum
With candidates of all political stripes taking advantage of the city's small-dollar campaign program, Seattleites themselves become the real winners.
With candidates of all political stripes taking advantage of the city's small-dollar campaign program, Seattleites themselves become the real winners.
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Democracy Vouchers Are a Bargain
August’s levy renewal offers Seattleites proven benefits to democracy for a low price.
August’s levy renewal offers Seattleites proven benefits to democracy for a low price.
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In Seattle Elections, Dark Money Follows Competition, Not Democracy Vouchers
Research finds independent spending is up in cities with and without public financing for local campaigns—and democracy vouchers are delivering on their people power promise.
Research finds independent spending is up in cities with and without public financing for local campaigns—and democracy vouchers are delivering on their people power promise.
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Six Reasons Seattleites Should Be Proud of Their Democracy Vouchers
A decade in, and up for renewal in August, Seattle’s model campaign funding program has blasted past even its ambitious initial goals.
A decade in, and up for renewal in August, Seattle’s model campaign funding program has blasted past even its ambitious initial goals.
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Whatcom County Eyes a Prime Election Upgrade
Proportional representation would deliver fairer representation for voters countywide.
Proportional representation would deliver fairer representation for voters countywide.
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Washington’s Bills to Safeguard and Upgrade Democracy in 2025
Find audio versions of Sightline articles on any of your favorite podcast platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, and Apple. Washington State ...
State leaders are considering measures to allow ranked choice voting and turnout-boosting even-year elections, protect voting rights, increase language resources for elections, and more.
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The History of Washington’s Wandering Election Day
Despite intending to choose a voting day that’s best for voters, timing could still be easier—but legislators can fix that.
Despite intending to choose a voting day that’s best for voters, timing could still be easier—and legislators can fix that.
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A Magic Boost for Low-Turnout City Elections
Takeaways Find audio versions of Sightline articles on any of your favorite podcast platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, and Apple. First-time ...
Seattle’s 2024 special city council election showed just how easily local voter participation could skyrocket.
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