Political junkies already know their way around the state Public Disclosure Commission's Web site.

You can find out how much money a candidate has raised and spent, which PAC has given them money and who your neighbors and co-workers support.

But did you know that during the eight days before an election, you can schedule an appointment to look at a candidate's books in person, unfiltered by the PDC?

I didn't, until today.

But it's right there on the Candidate Registration form, otherwise known as the C1:

Campaign books must be open to the public by appointment between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. during the eight days before the election, except Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. In the space below, provide contact information for scheduling an appointment and the address where the inspection will take place. It is not acceptable to provide a post office box or an out-of-town address.

Gregoire's C1 provided the following phone number and address: 206-382-5552; 603 Stewart Street #819, Seattle.

Rossi's C1 provided this phone and address: 425-498-2008; 2723 152nd Ave NE, Redmond.

Next week's primary is just a week away, meaning anyone and everyone is free to schedule away. And not just with the candidates for governor.

Previously, candidates were required to open up their books for two hours per day during the eight-day window, said Doug Ellis at the PDC. Anyone who wanted could drop in.

The rules were changed to require an appointment after candidates complained they were wasting time if no one showed up.

Ellis isn't sure how many people know about the rule and take advantage of it. His office generally only hears about problems -- such as when a candidate refuses to schedule a meeting.

He estimates three or four of those type of complaints come into his office each year.

Let me know if you're someone who has scheduled one of these appointments -- or tried to. I'd like to hear about the experience.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith briefed the Tacoma City Council today on happenings in Congress. Which, given the level of activity there, didn't take long.

"We are not doing a great deal right now," the Tacoma Democrat said at the council's weekly study session.

"Just about anything a Republican president can get through a Democratic Congress and just about anything a Democratic Congress can get by a Republican president has been done," Smith said.

But if inactivity is a bad thing, actual activity might be worse, he joked.

"Come January with a new president and a new Congress there will be a burst of activity," Smith said. "Trust me, that will be a more-dangerous time than this one."

Gov. Chris Gregoire stopped by the Tacoma area this morning to congratulate the Washington State Patrol on being named the best U.S. police agency by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

"Now I didn't need them to tell me that, but it sure is nice to have the recognition," Gregoire said, standing in front of a backdrop that included a Ford Crown Victoria cruiser, a shiny white BMW motorcycle and the WSP District 1 Headquarters on 112th Street East in Summit, just outside Tacoma.

WSP Chief John Batiste and Ron Ruecker, the IACP president and former Oregon State Police superintendent, also spoke.

The award, called the National Law Enforcement Challenge, recognizes law enforcement agencies with the best overall traffic safety programs in the country, according to the organization's Web site.

Last year, the WSP was recognized as the best state police agency of its size. This year, the State Patrol was named best in the championship class, a field that included 23 applicants of various sizes.

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Ranked-choice voting advocate Kelly Haughton predicts a close race for the Pierce County Council’s District 2 seat.

The seat currently is held by Democrat Calvin Goings, who is running for county executive. Vying to replace him are Republican state Rep. Joyce McDonald and Democrats Carolyn Merrival and Al Rose.

On his blog, Haughton calls McDonald a “strong candidate in this race given her name recognition and ability to campaign.” Though he expects McDonald to win the most first-place votes, he doubts any candidate will receive the majority of first-place votes needed for a first-count win.

That could give Merrival or Rose a chance to win the seat by collecting second-choice votes.

Read Haughton’s full analysis here.

Confused about ranked-choice voting? Check out the county auditor’s web site.