The annual election for the International Special Review District (ISRD) Board beckons community members to help shape the future of the Chinatown International District (CID) by casting their ballots for three key positions. The voting process this year will be exclusively via mail-in ballots, due to the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods by the extended deadline of December 2. This comes after a misprint was discovered on the ballots originally mailed in late October. As a corrective measure, the Department has issued new green-colored ballots, which, along with a pre-stamped return envelope, are currently on their way to all registered voters. Note the original, error-ridden pink-colored ballots will be void and ineligible for counting, according to the official announcement.
For those who may need assistance with the voting process, the Department of Neighborhoods is providing special office hours at Hing Hay Coworks on December 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There, not only will people be able to submit their completed ballots, but they can also avail themselves of Vietnamese and Chinese interpretation services. As part of the democratic process and community engagement, this gesture ensures inclusivity and aids understanding among the diverse residents of the district. The election encompasses three board positions, offering a chance for a Business Owner, Property Owner, or Employee under Position #1, a Resident, Tenant or Community Participant for Position #2, and similarly, an opportunity for another Resident, Tenant or Community Participant under Position #4.
The candidate standing for Position #1 is Hyan Ho, a local restaurateur who credits the CID as a significant part of his life. "He wants to be able to make a difference in the community and help make the neighborhood a more active, vibrant and safe area for everyone to enjoy," as per his profile provided in materials accompanying the new ballots. The race for Position #2 features Zhiyun Zhu, a Chinese immigrant with a 30-year tenure in Seattle, who seeks to bring her experience and appreciation of the district's Chinese cultural heritage to the board. The contest for Position #4 introduces incumbent Kyle Jacobson, who focuses on affordable housing and adapting to light rail expansion, and challenger Xue Yi Liu, who brings two decades of neighborhood involvement and knowledge of community cultural history, as noted by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.
These elections are particularly significant as they play a major role in preserving the rich cultural, economic, and historical fabric of the Chinatown International District, a task entrusted to the ISRD Board since its inception by City Ordinance in 1973. The Board, comprising seven members—five elected from the community and two appointed by the Mayor—works to protect the special character of the district. As the current terms for members Eric Chan, Kyle Jacobson, and Gary Lee draw to a close on November 30, new leaders are set to join the ranks. To delve deeper into the election details and the ISRD's broader mission, interested individuals can visit the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Preservation website.
