Whatcom - Countywide Voting

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CHARTER AMENDMENT #1 will return County Council elections to countywide voting. The Charter was changed in 2005 to make voting for County Council a District-Only vote. District-Only voting prevents county citizens from voting on who will occupy a majority of the County Council seats.

Here's what the 2008 General Election voters pamphlet has to say:

"CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. 1
Submitted by the Whatcom County Council

The Whatcom County Council has, by Ordinance #2007-069, proposed a charter amendment concerning election of Council Offices. It provides that, in the general election, each voter may vote for each Council Office from each district and for the at-large Council Office regardless of the district in which the voter lives, when those offices are up for election. Each candidate must reside in the district she/he represents, except for the at-large candidate.

Should this amendment be: APPROVED REJECTED"


Explanatory Statement

"Currently, in the general election, each voter may only vote for the Council Office representing the district in which the voter resides and the at-large Council Office, when those offices are up for election. The new law would allow, in the general election, each voter to vote for each Council Office from each district, regardless of the district in which the voter lives, and for the at-large Council Office, when those offices are up for election. Each candidate must reside in the district she/he represents, except for the at-large candidate—this requirement does not change."

Earlier this month, the 42nd LD Democrats invited County Councilwoman Barbara Brenner to visit and talk about the Countywide Voting Charter Amendment.