If you live in Washington state, it's Election Day. There's no big sexy headliner on the ballot this year — no Trump, no mayor — but it is vital that you vote. Please vote.

And if you tend to shop at independent bookstores because you don't want to give Amazon your business, you should know that Amazon has a lot invested in this election — to the tune of 1.5 million dollars, which is far and away a record in our city politics. No less a national figure than Robert Reich has delineated who the Amazon and non-Amazon candidates are in the majority of our City Council races. The Seattle Review of Books isn't endorsing anyone in this election. I have my preferred candidates, and so does the management at Amazon. But this is what I want you to take away from this post: if you and I disagree on a candidate, or all the candidates, I still want you to vote. Please, please vote.

Washington state can't make voting much easier for you. They mail the ballots to you, they pay the return postage, they have placed ballot boxes all over the city. If you're not sure about who to vote for, I advise checking out a resource like the Progressive Voters Guide, which links to a number of endorsements around the internet. It only takes a few minutes of your time, and it always feels great to turn that ballot in. Please, please, please vote.

You have until 8 pm tonight to return your ballot. Vote, please.

Thank you.