The Great Annexation Ballot of 1891
Before the sprawling metropolis of today, Seattle held a massive, city-wide special election to incorporate its growing suburbs—from Ballard to Salmon Bay—into the city limits.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A petition signed by more than one-fifth of the electors of the city of Seattle, in the state of Washington, has been filed with the legislative body of the city—namely, the honorable board of aldermen and the honorable house of delegates—petitioning that the boundary of the city be altered and that new territory be included. The legislative body hereby submits to the voters residing in said territory and the voters in the city of Seattle the question of whether said territory shall be annexed. The proposed area includes sections of Salmon Bay, Fremont, Latona, and Union, excluding the town of Ballard. Notice is hereby given that on the 20th day of January, 1891, a special election will be held for the purpose of voting on said annexation. Polling places have been designated for each precinct, with local inspectors and judges assigned to oversee the ballot. Voters in favor shall use ballots containing the words 'In favor of annexation,' and those opposed shall use ballots containing the words 'Against annexation.'
“Every voter who shall vote in favor of authorizing the city... for the funding of outstanding warrants... will vote a ballot containing the words: 'In favor of the city of Seattle issuing bonds.'”
This 1891 election highlights the foundational struggle of Seattle’s rapid expansion. Just as the city debated the incorporation of the 'streetcar suburbs' like Fremont and Latona over a century ago to consolidate infrastructure, modern Seattle continues to grapple with the geographic and civic complexities of its own boundaries and densification.
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