Elections this year for three of Seattle's City Council districts shaped by hot-button issues

Three Seattle City Council districts are holding elections this year with a total of 16 candidates vying for the seats across the districts
Ballots for the primary election in two of the districts will be mailed out in July and those for the general election in all districts will be mailed in October
District 2, 4, and 5, representing a combined 315,000 Seattle residents, do not have an incumbent running in the election
The candidates have staked out positions on issues like public safety, homelessness, affordability, and economic development that are shaping the elections
The primary election is Aug. 1 and the general election is Nov. 7; newly elected council members will take office Jan. 1