Kshama Sawant

District 3

Kshama Sawant

Former councilmember · 2014–2023

Status
Former councilmember
Representation
District 3

Overview and record

Activity at a glance

2015–2026 official records

Kshama Sawant received credit for 174 passed matters in 2015–2026, earning 365.8 points—within the available comparison group. The largest single contribution is CB 118631 (2016), worth 7.0 points: Requiring periodic building energy tune-ups for certain nonresidential buildings. The credited record leans most toward Utilities & Technology, especially electricity. Of those, 76 originated in an executive department before Council sponsorship.

2015–2026 LegisRate points

365.8

Within the available comparison group

76 credited measures originated in an executive department.

How scoring works

Outcome, voting, and attendance describe the record; they do not add to or subtract from the LegisRate score.

Sponsored outcomes 174 passed

97.2% passage rate

Final voting choices 2082 in favor

87 opposed · 0 abstained

Full Council attendance 84.2% present or late

378 of 449 records

Sponsorship record106 prime · 63 co-sponsor · 5 unranked · 172 early-recorded

Record details Outcome, voting, attendance, and sponsorship context
Sponsored outcomes5 unsuccessful · 0 pendingPending measures are not included in the passage rate.
Final voting choices2169 recorded decisions4.0% opposed · 0.0% abstained · 68 not voting · 1 disqualified
Votes on contested matters147 recorded choices60 supported · 87 opposed
Attendance detail364 present · 14 late61 excused · 10 unexcused. Excused absences remain visible and are not treated as unexcused.
Sponsorship timing172 early · 0 after committee · 2 after passageFirst appearance in the official sponsor record.
Council-wide voting context93.4% without recorded opposition or abstention2904 of 3109 eligible final tallies; 205 contested.

Only the latest recorded legislative vote per matter is used; a missing structured tally is not counted as an absence.

What the work concerns

Policy-area mix

Share of scored work

Kshama Sawant's policy-area mix Hover or focus a policy-area slice for its point total and share of scored work. 365.8 points

Hover or focus a slice for detail.

Utilities & Technology

170.5 points · 46.6%

View related bills

By year

Annual work

YearPointsPassedPass rateOriginalCo-sponsoredOpposedAbstainedAttendance
202318.2583.3508.50.069.8
202213.8583.35110.60.083.3
202139.11694.11574.40.093.5
202042.52896.627144.20.088.7
201911.82195.521171.10.087.8
201816.111100.01143.40.082.0
201753.931100.031163.80.083.6
2016106.631100.03111.20.076.4
201563.926100.02682.80.092.0
Career total365.817497.2172684.00.084.2

Rates are shown only when the relevant official record exists. Vote and attendance measures describe participation; they do not affect points.

Council roles

Committees & positions

Point-by-point audit

Contributing bills

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Requiring periodic building energy tune-ups for certain nonresidential buildings.CB 118631 · Ordinance (Ord) · 2016 · Utilities & TechnologyElectricityBudget & Appropriations +7.0 pts

Official titleAN ORDINANCE requiring periodic building energy tune-ups for certain nonresidential buildings; adding a new Chapter 22.930 to the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Ordinance 124927, which adopted the 2016 Budget, changing appropriations to various departments and budget control levels, and from various funds in the Budget; all by a 3/4 vote of the City Council.

ElectricityBudget & Appropriations

Reach 1: the action serves a defined program, department, or user group rather than every resident directly. Fiscal 1: the largest detected official amount is about $1,500,000. Durability 2: the measure creates a lasting regulatory, charter, or voter-approved structure. Institutional scope 2: implementation crosses departments or affects a core citywide governmental function.

Factors [1, 1, 2, 2]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(6 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share7 in favor · 0 opposedaffected service or requested subjectSigned ordinance 125002
Increasing the tax rates of the payroll expense tax imposed on persons engaging in business in Seattle.CB 119950 · Ordinance (Ord) · 2023 · Government Operations & FinanceTaxes, Revenue & Debt +6.0 pts

Official titleAN ORDINANCE relating to taxation; increasing the tax rates of the payroll expense tax imposed on persons engaging in business in Seattle; and amending Section 5.38.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

Taxes, Revenue & Debt

Reach 1: the action serves a defined program, department, or user group rather than every resident directly. Fiscal 2: the largest detected official amount is about $187,200,000. Durability 1: the action changes an ordinary policy, code provision, plan, or limited-duration program. Institutional scope 1: one department or city system is principally responsible for implementation.

Factors [1, 2, 1, 1]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(5 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share6 in favor · 3 opposedinternal governance or general financial administrationSigned ordinance 126933
Requiring the payment of economic displacement relocation assistance to households that are vacating a housing unit after receiving notice of a rent….CB 120173 · Ordinance (Ord) · 2021 · Housing & Homelessness +6.0 pts

Official titleAN ORDINANCE relating to relocation assistance for economically displaced tenants; requiring the payment of economic displacement relocation assistance to households that are vacating a housing unit after receiving notice of a rent increase of ten percent or more or of less than ten percent where the cumulative effect for the household’s tenancy is ten percent or more; and adding a new Chapter 22.212 to the Seattle Municipal Code.

Reach 1: the action serves a defined program, department, or user group rather than every resident directly. Fiscal 1: the largest detected official amount is about $1,300,000. Durability 2: the measure creates a lasting regulatory, charter, or voter-approved structure. Institutional scope 1: one department or city system is principally responsible for implementation.

Factors [1, 1, 2, 1]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(5 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share8 in favor · 0 opposedaffected service identified in operative titleSigned ordinance 126451
Updates the City Light Department.CB 118690 · Ordinance (Ord) · 2016 · Utilities & TechnologyElectricity +6.0 pts

Official titleAN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; amending Section 21.49.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code to remove an exception from eligibility to the Utility Discount Program for tenants of federally subsidized housing with utility allowances and to update and modify certain program provisions.

Electricity

Reach 2: the rule or service directly applies citywide or through a citywide system. Fiscal 1: the largest detected official amount is about $2,400,000. Durability 1: the action changes an ordinary policy, code provision, plan, or limited-duration program. Institutional scope 1: one department or city system is principally responsible for implementation.

Factors [2, 1, 1, 1]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(5 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share9 in favor · 0 opposedaffected service or requested subjectSigned ordinance 125051
Amending Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Sections 21.49.030, 21.49.040, 21.49.052, 21.49.055, 21.49.057, 21.49.058, 21.49.060, 21.49.065, 21.49.081, 21.49.082, 21.49.085, and 21.49.110, and repealing SMC….CB 118802 · Ordinance (Ord) · 2016 · Utilities & TechnologyElectricity +6.0 pts

Official titleAN ORDINANCE relating to the rates, terms, and conditions for the use and sale of electricity supplied by the City Light Department for 2017 and 2018; amending Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Sections 21.49.030, 21.49.040, 21.49.052, 21.49.055, 21.49.057, 21.49.058, 21.49.060, 21.49.065, 21.49.081, 21.49.082, 21.49.085, and 21.49.110, and repealing SMC Section 21.49.080, in connection therewith.

Electricity

Reach 1: the action serves a defined program, department, or user group rather than every resident directly. Fiscal 2: the largest detected official amount is about $902,100,000. Durability 1: the action changes an ordinary policy, code provision, plan, or limited-duration program. Institutional scope 1: one department or city system is principally responsible for implementation.

Factors [1, 2, 1, 1]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(5 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share7 in favor · 2 opposedaffected service or requested subjectSigned ordinance 125171
Changing the operation of the Rate Stabilization Account, and amending Seattle Municipal Code 21.49.086.G.CB 118350 · Ordinance (Ord) · 2015 · Utilities & TechnologyElectricity +6.0 pts

Official titleAN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; changing the operation of the Rate Stabilization Account, and amending Seattle Municipal Code 21.49.086.G.

Electricity

Reach 1: the action serves a defined program, department, or user group rather than every resident directly. Fiscal 2: the largest detected official amount is about $125,000,000. Durability 1: the action changes an ordinary policy, code provision, plan, or limited-duration program. Institutional scope 1: one department or city system is principally responsible for implementation.

Factors [1, 2, 1, 1]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(5 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share7 in favor · 0 opposedaffected service or requested subjectSigned ordinance 124752
Updates the Seattle Criminal Code, adding a new Chapter 12A.32 to the Seattle Municipal Code.CB 120375 · Ordinance (Ord) · 2022 · Public Safety & Justice +5.0 pts

Official titleAN ORDINANCE relating to the Seattle Criminal Code, adding a new Chapter 12A.32 to the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Section 12A.20.060 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

Reach 1: the action serves a defined program, department, or user group rather than every resident directly. Fiscal 0: the largest detected official amount is about $2,022. Durability 2: the measure creates a lasting regulatory, charter, or voter-approved structure. Institutional scope 1: one department or city system is principally responsible for implementation.

Factors [1, 0, 2, 1]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(4 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share6 in favor · 0 opposedaffected service or requested subjectSigned ordinance 126634
Regarding the impact of Seattle’s Urban Renewal program in displacing Black community members from the Central Area.Res 32015 · Resolution (Res) · 2021 · Housing & HomelessnessAffordable HousingPermitting & Development +5.0 pts

Official titleA RESOLUTION regarding the impact of Seattle’s Urban Renewal program in displacing Black community members from the Central Area; supporting community demands to fund quality affordable social housing to prevent and reverse displacement; and urging the Office of Housing to fund the affordable housing project proposed by New Hope Community Development Institute.

Affordable HousingPermitting & Development

Reach 1: the action serves a defined program, department, or user group rather than every resident directly. Fiscal 2: the largest detected official amount is about $11,000,000. Durability 0: the action is transactional, technical, advisory, or one-time. Institutional scope 1: one department or city system is principally responsible for implementation.

Factors [1, 2, 0, 1]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(4 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share8 in favor · 0 opposedaffected service identified in operative titleSigned resolution 32015
Provides that transitional encampments for homeless individuals are allowed on any property owned or controlled by a religious organization without approval of….CB 119656 · Ordinance (Ord) · 2020 · Land Use & DevelopmentHomelessness ServicesZoningPermitting & Development +5.0 pts

Official titleAN ORDINANCE relating to land use and zoning; providing that transitional encampments for homeless individuals are allowed on any property owned or controlled by a religious organization without approval of a permit under the Seattle Land Use Code, to permit transitional encampments for homeless individuals as an interim use on all publicly owned or private property within the City of Seattle, and providing for renewal of temporary use permits for transitional encampments as a Type I decision of the Director of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections; amending Sections 23.40.002, 23.42.054, 23.42.056, 23.76.004, 23.76.006, 23.76.032, and 23.84A.038 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Ordinance 124747.

Homelessness ServicesZoningPermitting & Development

Reach 1: the direct beneficiaries are a defined population, place, or multi-neighborhood area. Fiscal 1: the largest detected official amount is about $4,800,000. Durability 1: the action changes an ordinary policy, code provision, plan, or limited-duration program. Institutional scope 1: one department or city system is principally responsible for implementation.

Factors [1, 1, 1, 1]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(4 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share6 in favor · 1 opposedland-use or development actionSigned ordinance 126042
Declares the City’s 8th and Roy Street property as surplus to the City’s needs and no longer required for providing public utility….CB 119034 · Ordinance (Ord) · 2017 · Utilities & TechnologyElectricity +5.0 pts

Official titleAN ORDINANCE relating to the City Light Department; declaring the City’s 8th and Roy Street property as surplus to the City’s needs and no longer required for providing public utility service or other municipal purpose; authorizing the sale of this property for fair market value through a brokered sale; authorizing the General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the City Light Department to execute all necessary documents to accomplish such property sale; and authorizing the deposit of the proceeds of the sale in the City Light Fund and allocation of part of the proceeds to the Rate Stabilization Account.

Electricity

Reach 1: the action serves a defined program, department, or user group rather than every resident directly. Fiscal 2: the largest detected official amount is about $25,000,000. Durability 0: the action is transactional, technical, advisory, or one-time. Institutional scope 1: one department or city system is principally responsible for implementation.

Factors [1, 2, 0, 1]reach · fiscal · durability · institutional

(4 factors + 1 sponsor) × 100%Original sponsor · primary share8 in favor · 0 opposedaffected service or requested subjectSigned ordinance 125372