The International Special Review District (ISRD) Board invites community members to take part in its annual board election, a meaningful opportunity to help guide the future of the Chinatown International District (CID). The election is conducted by mail-in ballot only, with ballots due to the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods by Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Please note: ballots initially mailed in late October had an error, so the Department of Neighborhoods has moved this year’s election deadline from November 18 to December 2. New ballots and a pre-stamped return envelope are being mailed to all registered voters. Voters are encouraged to return the new, green-colored ballots early to ensure they are received by the deadline. The original, pink-colored ballots will not be counted.
To make participation easier, Department of Neighborhoods staff will host special office hours at Hing Hay Coworks (409 Maynard Ave S.) on Tuesday, December 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where completed ballots will be accepted and Vietnamese and Chinese interpretation is provided.
Three board positions are up for election:
- Position #1 for a Business Owner, Property Owner, or Employee
- Position #2 for Resident, Tenant or Community Participant
- Position #4 for Resident, Tenant or Community Participant
Nominations closed on Tuesday, October 14 with three candidates nominated. Candidate information is provided below. Brief candidate biographies will also be mailed with the ballots.
One candidate is seeking Position #1 for a Business Owner, Property Owner, or Employee
- Hyan Ho is a restaurant owner in the district. He said the area has been a huge part of his life since he was very young. He wants to be able to make a difference in the community and help make the neighborhood a more active, vibrant and safe area for everyone to enjoy. He has previously worked as a social worker and in property management for subsidized housing.
One candidate is seeking Position #2 for Resident, Tenant or Community Participant
- Zhiyun Zhu is a resident of the neighborhood. She is a Chinese immigrant who has lived and worked in Seattle for 30 years. She has a deep understanding of the Chinatown International District community and its Chinese cultural heritage. She aims to contribute perspectives on design and development that reflect the district’s historic character.
Two candidates are seeking Position #4 for Resident, Tenant or Community Participant
- Kyle Jacobson is a Chinatown International District resident and current ISRD Board member. In addition to Board work, he serves his community by advocating for safe streets, as a leader of Central Seattle Greenways, and for pollution reduction in the CID. In his work on the Board, he is focused on maintaining affordable housing, helping residents benefit from light rail expansion, and ensuring that ISRD Board actions are consistent with its stated mission.
- Xue Yi Liu has lived within the neighborhood for the past 20 years. Her nomination says she has a strong understanding of Chinese culture and traditions, and she values the neighborhood’s diversity and spirit. She is interested in contributing her knowledge of the community cultural and historical heritage as it grows.
The special character of the Chinatown International District is recognized and protected by City Ordinance. In 1973, the International Special Review District Board was created to preserve, protect, and enhance the cultural, economic, and historical qualities of the District. The Board is made up of seven members – five elected by the Chinatown International District community and two appointed by the Mayor. Board member terms are two years, and members may serve up to two consecutive terms. To learn more about the election and the International Special Review District, please visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/id.htm/.
The current members are Eric Chan, Heather Hargesheimer (Chair), Kyle Jacobson, Adrian Lam, Gary Lee, Samantha Wong (Vice-Chair) and Jade Yan. Board members Chan, Jacobson, and Lee’s terms will end on November 30, 2025.
The International Special Review District is coordinated by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program. Translations of this information is available on DON’s website in Chinese and Vietnamese today.
