Yup! The Washington State voters' pamphlet (League of Women Voters) came about a week before my absentee ballot did.

"Pamphlet" indeed! It's printed on newsprint paper, saddle stapled, and it's about the size and thickness of a copy of Time Magazine. It contains a great deal of voter information, including how to register if you aren't already. It contains photos of all the candidates (all political parties), national, state, and local, complete with short bio and a statement by each (who I am, what I stand for, and why you should vote for me). Then, state and local initiatives and referenda. There is a brief statement of each as it will appear on the ballot, a section that says "The law as it stands now:" with explanation, and another that says "What this law [if enacted] will do:" with explanation. The explanations are flat, unbiased statements. Then, there are arguments "For" and "Against" prepared by advocates of each side.

In the back of the booklet one can find the complete texts of the laws, initiatives, and referenda that are to be voted on. Heavy going, but if you can manage the legalese, it's all there.

A very handy publication indeed! A sterling effort on the part of the League of Women Voters to see that the electorate is informed. Then, it's up to the electorate!

I use this voters' pamphlet in combination with google.

Don Firth