Home prices in Washington increased more than 800% over the past four decades, according to one analysis of Freddie Mac data.

Why it matters: That far exceeds the national average of nearly 500%.

The big picture: Housing affordability is repeatedly cited as one of the top concerns for Washington residents, reflecting widespread struggles with rising home prices and the growing gap between housing costs and household incomes across the state.

Driving the news: Washington had the largest home price gain in the nation, at 828%, from 1984 to 2024, according to the analysis of Freddie Mac House Price Index data by journalist Lance Lambert of ResiClub.

• Oregon (699%), Rhode Island (668%) and Massachusetts (664%) followed, per Lambert.
• Overall inflation rose 203% in the last 40 years, while median U.S. household incomes rose 233%, Lambert wrote.

Yes, but: He points out that overall housing affordability is only slightly worse today than it was in 1984 when you account for mortgage rates, median household incomes and national home prices.

Stunning stat: A 30-year fixed rate mortgage was between 13% and 15% in 1984, while it's fluctuated between 6% and 7% this year, according to Freddie Mac.

Threat level: Approximately 73% of Washington households cannot afford a median-priced ($640,000) home, according to a recent report by the Building Industry Association of Washington.

• The Department of Commerce says the state is facing a critical housing shortage that could last decades, estimating a need for around 1 million new homes by 2044.

Zoom in: Housing affordability is even more strained in the Seattle metro area, where the median home price is about $875,000, according to Redfin, and less than 1% of the listings are affordable for middle-income households.

• A recent analysis by Redfin determined that buying a typical starter home in the city requires a six-figure income.

The bottom line: There's a reason many young people in Washington say their homeowning dreams are on hold.

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Local election officials say they've enacted safeguards to protect ballot drop boxes from sabotage, including against fires like the one that damaged hundreds of ballots at a Vancouver drop box this week.

Why it matters: About half of voters in Washington — which conducts its elections almost entirely by mail — have chosen to return their ballots to drop boxes in recent years instead of using the postal service, according to the Washington secretary of state's office.

State of play: Largely, county officials are relying on their tank-like ballot boxes to protect your vote.

• King County and many other counties in Washington use ballot boxes made of quarter-inch-thick steel that's welded at the corners, leaving no seams to pry apart, Halei Watkins, spokesperson for the county elections office, told Axios.
• Those ballot boxes — the largest of which weigh over 1,000 pounds — include multiple devices that will deploy a chemical fire suppressant if they detect a high amount of heat, Kyle Haugh, election manager for Pierce County, told Axios.

Yes, but: While the Vancouver ballot box where ballots were destroyed was made by a different manufacturer, it also had a fire suppression system inside.

• Officials "are working to try to understand" why that system didn't work, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey told Axios.

Catch up quick: Even before this week's fires, King County had arranged to have private security officers at all ballot boxes, plus non-uniformed police officers at the busiest locations, Watkins said.

• Pierce County, meanwhile, has been talking to local law enforcement agencies for months about keeping an eye on its drop boxes.

The bottom line: Voters "shouldn't be discouraged" from using ballot drop boxes between now and Tuesday's election, Haugh said.

• But, Watkins said, if you see anything suspicious or intimidating, "call 911."

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🎒 Dozens rallied outside Seattle's Sacajawea Elementary yesterday to protest a proposal that would close the school and three others next year. (KING 5)

🛋️ STOR, an immersive art experience styled as a parody of an IKEA store, has opened in Seattle at Base Camp Studios, 1901 3rd Ave., where visitors can explore and purchase art through Jan. 10. (FOX 13)

💵 The state Republican Party owes $5,000 in fines after state regulators found the party violated campaign finance laws. (Cascade PBS)

Diwali, a Hindu holiday also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, begins today. 

Why it matters: The religious holiday is celebrated by millions in America and more than 1 billion people worldwide.

Between the lines: Diwali is celebrated over five days, each day holding a different significance, per the Hindu American Foundation.

• According to the Foundation, "people light lamps at Diwali to remember that light triumphs over dark, knowledge prevails over ignorance, and good triumphs over evil."

Here are a few ways to celebrate the holiday in the Seattle area. 

Diwali: Lights of India, Saturday

Enjoy dance and music performances, paintings, a puppet show and a chance to engage in hands-on arts and crafts at the Seattle Center Armory. 12-6pm. Free.

Diwali Celebration at the Bellevue Collection, Saturday

Musical performances, dances and a fashion show are highlights of the Diwali celebration from noon to 5pm at Bellevue Square's central court. You can also get henna art applied for free from 11am-6pm.

• The first level of the mall will have displays of saris and rangoli (art made from colored sand) from Nov. 1-10.

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