Understanding the District Boundaries & Why This Year is Unique

Did you ever wonder why certain candidates run against each other? In Highline, it's geography-your address decides who can run for each position.

Sandra Locklear

Oct 27, 2025 - 2 min read

This year, four of the five Highline School Board seats are on the ballot, which is unusual from routine election years due to two School Board Directors resigning in January of this year. Since those seats had more than 2 years left on the board commitment, those seats are up for grabs this Nov. 4th as well.

Voters do not need to worry about which director district or service area they live in—everyone in the Highline School District can vote in all four races.

Understanding which board member represents you is based on where they live within the district, but the elections are “at-large,” meaning all registered voters within Highline get to vote for every seat up for election, regardless of where you live.

Highline spans White Center to Des Moines, including Burien, SeaTac, Normandy Park, and parts of Tukwila. With over 17,000 students and about 75,000 voters, confusion is understandable.

There are five total director districts, but only four have elections this year:

• District 2: Angelica Alvarez (incumbent) vs Sue-Ann Hohimer

• District 3: Joe Van (incumbent) vs Katie Kresly

• District 4: Damarys Espinoza (appointed incumbent) vs Ken Kemp

• District 5: Blaine Holien (appointed incumbent, unopposed)

Procedure 1105 - Director District Boundaries & List of Schools

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Here’s what to know if you are interested in running for School Board in the future:

• Your home address determines which director district you live in—and which seat you could run for is also based on what year that seat becomes available.

• This differs from many city council elections where candidates choose among multiple seats.

Because of these residency rules, newcomers are running only in the districts where they live, offering voters real choices and fresh ideas—especially around academics, safety, and accountability.

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Quick Reminder

Make a plan to vote by November 4, 2025 — and encourage a neighbor to do the same. Your voice matters in every race.

King County November 2025 General Election Information