A voter places her ballot in the ballot box in front of the Covington Library in downtown Covington. It is the same box where Shukri Olow, center, of Kent dropped hers off the day she received it. As a Somali refugee and Muslim, she is fearful about the political climate and wanted to vote early to protect her vote and her community. She is sitting with her children Khalid Ahmed, 8, left, and Amani Ahmed, 10. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)
Shukri Olow, center, sits with her children Khalid Ahmed, 8, left, and Amani Ahmed, 10, at the ballot drop box in front of the Covington Library. (Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)
Naomi Ishisaka

Why are so many people voting early this year? Here’s one Kent woman’s answer

Shukri Olow is a Kent mom, a Somali refugee and a Black Muslim woman. All those identities fuel her passion for civic engagement, and she's one of a record number of voters casting ballots early this election season.

Dr. Vin Gupta, photographed at the University of Washington, is an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Health Metrics Sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. Gupta is often on NBC news and MSNBC as a medical contributor, taking on a national profile during the pandemic with his honest assessments. Photographed on October 14, 2020. 215300 215300
Health

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As he doles out the science and takes on false information put forth by President Donald Trump, what the public doesn’t see is that Vin Gupta is a reluctant star.

Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman talks to reporters in her office, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Wyman was talking about a series of election- and ballot-security bills her office is asking the Washington Legislature to consider during the current session. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Local Politics

Wyman urges Washington state voters to report emails or posts of election misinformation Updated

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is hit by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) AZMY139
Larry Stone

With gut-wrenching loss to Cardinals, the Seahawks have reached their first moment of truth in 2020 Updated

Election 2020

Left to right: Hilary Franz and Sue Kuehl Pederson, candidates for Washington lands commissioner.

Race for state lands commissioner centered on forests, wildfire, smokeUpdated

Madison, Wis. residents Theola Carter, left, and Carrie Braxton fill out their ballots on the first day of the state’s in-person absentee voting window for the Nov. 3 election outside the city’s City-County Building Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) WIMAW400 WIMAW400
U.S. Supreme Court won’t extend Wisconsin’s absentee ballot deadline Updated
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner does a television interview at the White House, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) DCAB101 DCAB101
Kushner says Black people must ‘want to be successful’ Updated
LiveElection 2020 updates, Oct. 26: Today is the last day to register online to vote Updated
‘I’m not interested.’ Why some people didn’t vote in 2016, and won’t this year either
Many Democrats on ballot are moderates. Republicans cast them as radicals. Updated
Ex-Washington House Speaker Frank Chopp faces challenge from the left in Sherae Lascelles in Seattle race
House already won? Pelosi thinks so, and reaches for more Updated

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A cigarette sits in an ashtray at the Red Key Taven in Indianapolis, Thursday, June 11, 2009. The U.S. Senate voted Thursday on legislation that for the first time would give the new powers to control the production and marketing of tobacco products. South Carolina has the lowest state sales tax on cigarettes in the country. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) INDC102
Travel

A hotel charged a senior couple with a smoking fee. Their complaint? They don’t smoke

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) breaks the tackle of Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) AZMY133
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Seattle Times editorial board endorsements: Election 2020

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A car sits in the Capitol Hill Organized Protest zone following a shooting in Seattle early Monday, June 29, 2020. At least one man was killed and another was wounded early Monday morning when they were shot in the protest area known as CHOP, after driving the vehicle into the area. (AP Photo/Aron Ranen)

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Featured Columnist

Why are so many people voting early this year? Here’s one Kent woman’s answer

Traffic Lab

Seattle City Council could consider new car-tab fees after I-976 thrown out in court

City ballot measure would raise sales tax for Seattle bus service, other transportation projects

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Washington Supreme Court strikes down I-976, which cut car-tab taxes

Business & Tech

Paid time off, free fries: How corporate America is getting out the vote

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The Google antitrust case won’t be easy — trustbusting never has been

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Nation & World

Attendees worship at a Sunday morning Patriot Church service. MUST CREDIT: Photo for The Washington Post by Stacy Kranitz

Seeking power in Jesus’ name: Trump sparks a rise of ‘Patriot Churches’  VIEW

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Coronavirus

FILE – In this May 2020 file photo provided by Eli Lilly, a researcher tests possible COVID-19 antibodies in a laboratory in Indianapolis. On Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, U.S. government officials announced they are putting an early end to a study testing an Eli Lilly antibody drug for people hospitalized with COVID-19 because it doesn’t seem to help. (David Morrison/Eli Lilly via AP, File) NYSB101 NYSB101

Lilly antibody drug fails in a COVID-19 study; others go on

Food & Drink

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Pacific NW Magazine

Dwell Development brings cutting-edge sustainability, and a reverence for preservation, to its renovation of 3 classic Seattle homes

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Sports

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) runs as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) AZMY110 AZMY110

Seahawks running back Chris Carson could miss the 49ers game, and his backups are hurting, too

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Four Downs with Bob Condotta and Adam Jude: Answering the Seahawks’ pressing questions after the Cardinals loss

Arts & Life

A portrait taken for the Museum of Pop Culture’s current “Body of Work” exhibition, running through May 31, 2021.

Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture reopens ‘Body of Work: Tattoo Culture’ exhibition

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Photography

Chelsey Bollinger with REACH (CQ), a Christian ministries group, gives a haircut to Tearra Howard on the street in Pioneer Square. Howard says, “I was just walking past.” This by the Pergola near First and Yesler. Every week REACH members look for people in need and many are living on the street There’s no fee charged. When finished, Howard liked the look. LO Linesonly Haircuts in the street by Reach Ministeries. Saturday Oct 17, 2020 215425
Local News

Meeting a basic need: On the streets of Pioneer Square, free haircuts, with a smile

Mom Hazel, top, hangs out with her twin cubs Tian, left, and Zan, at the Woodland Park Zoo on the offspring’s first visit to the public viewing area. Their closest relatives are skunks, minks and raccoons, not bears. They’re native to Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Myanmar. Twin red panda cubs, a boy and a girl, were born May 25 to mom 4-year-old Hazel and 15-year-old dad Yukiko. The female cub is named Tián (TEA-en), meaning ?sweet,? and her twin brother is named Zan (rhymes with van), meaning help and support. Both names are Mandarin. First time in public viewing area Woodland Park Zoo. Friday Oct 23, 2020. 215478
Local News

Zoo’s twin red panda cubs make public debut  VIEW

Remus gets a comb-out following his bath. A barely audible growl was heard. Or maybe it was a purr. Alex the cat Groomer Alex Perry at work Friday Oct. 2, 2020 Likely Northwest Wanderings 215251
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Woodinville cat groomer puts his finicky clients at ease  VIEW

The Maple trees along Lake Washington Blvd North near Gene Coulon Park in Renton are attracting people to photograph the fall colors as fall temperatures begin to dip and leaves begin to fall. After Wednesday’s volatile weather, the forecast calls for partly sunny skies on Thursday, rain on Friday, with the sun returning for the weekend. LO LO LO 215444 215444
Local News

Savoring fall’s flash of bright color