SEATTLE — An exclusive poll conducted in conjunction with the Seattle Times and the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public showed the top four issues on all Washington voters' minds include the cost of living, protecting democracy, abortion and border security.
When including only Republican voters, the cost of living came in first, followed by border security, crime and homelessness. A majority of Democratic voters selected protecting democracy, followed by the cost of living, abortion and guns.
University of Washington political science professor James Long said most party-affiliated voters tend to cast ballots in line with their registration, but there is a better opportunity to sway swing or independent voters.
"[With those voters] Kamala Harris, even though she's the sitting vice president, isn't as well known as Donald Trump or Joe Biden," Long said. "So she's really going to have to make a last minute, very forceful attempt to introduce herself -- or reintroduce herself-- to the country, so they understand what they're voting for when they pull that lever for the Democratic ticket in November."
Harris has not been officially confirmed as the nominee by the Democratic party yet and has not released an official platform, so it is too soon to address exactly how her positions align with voter's issues, but there are some past actions and statements to draw from.
On the issue of abortion, Harris has spoken out against former president Donald Trump and pledged to support nationwide access. About protecting democracy, she gave strong remarks on the anniversary of Jan. 6, and has taken action and pitched proposals to strengthen voting rights. She has worked to promote an economic platform alongside President Joe Biden, along with prior work to pitch tax credits for low and middle-income workers and supporting a Medicare for All proposal during her presidential run. On border security, she was tasked by the Biden administration with working to address the root causes of migration.
Long said Trump ran his campaign against Biden on personality and issues. On personality, they focused on his age and fitness for office. He said the Trump campaign will need to shift gears if running against Harris. As for whether Harris will have any major policy differences from Biden remains to be seen.
"What will be interesting is, whether the Republicans try to tie the Biden agenda to Kamala Harris as well, and whether Harris, if/when she gets the nomination, runs on the Biden agenda," Long said. "The policies and the platforms may stay exactly the same, I don't think we expect Kamala Harris to radically change from where Joe Biden was- but she can in part own whatever positive part of his record she thinks can win for her, and I think Trump will also use that -- tie her into the Biden administration and attack her, based on policies."
Getting Washingtonians to the polls
To help inform the public about candidates' policies, the League of Women Voters will ask all the presidential hopefuls about their stances on issues. Their answers will be published in an online candidate guide.
"We also have a lot of forums that we've been doing," said Mary Coltrane, President of the League of Women Voters of Washington.
Her nonprofit aims to encourage voter turnout with their work.
"This is the time that we really want to capitalize on voters' interest so that, if possible, we can turn them into regular voters," said Coltrane.
Getting people to the polls will be a top priority amid the shake-up, partly because before Biden dropped out, an NBC News national poll revealed that the share of voters who said they have high interest in this year's presidential election hit a nearly 20-year low in April, at that point in the race.
They’re hoping to turn the current buzz around the General Election into action at the polls.
"When something like this actually does happen, I think it causes everyone to sit up and take notice," said Coltrane.
She said that the current buzz around politics could also lead to reinvigorated interest in volunteer work for voter empowerment.
“That’s possible," Coltrane said. "That has happened in the past. So we would certainly welcome that."