Proposition 6 (Charter Review Commission Proposed Amendment 14)
Proposed by Jon Mutchler and Todd Donovan
LOWERING THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES REQUIRED FOR CITIZEN INITIATIVES TO AMEND CHARTER
The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter reducing signatures required to place citizen-proposed Charter amendments on the ballot. This measure would amend Charter Section 8.22 to lower the number of signatures required for placement upon the ballot of proposed Whatcom County Charter changes by citizen initiative from 20% to 15% of the number of votes cast in the County in the last gubernatorial election. Should this proposal be APPROVED or REJECTED?
May 11, 2015: Approved 9-5, Bell, Dow, Goldsmith, Mackiewicz, and Sobjack opposed. Mutchler absent
Proposition 7 (Charter Review Commission Proposed Amendment 6)
Proposed by Ken Bell
TERM LIMITS FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to place term limits upon the County Executive and County Council members. This measure would amend Charter Sections 2.14 and 3.21 to apply a term limit of no more than three consecutive full terms to the County Executive and County Council members, to be applied prospectively only, beginning with the 2017 and 2019 elections. Should this proposal be APPROVED or REJECTED?
March 9, 2015: Amended and Approved 9-5-1 with Joe Elenbaas, May, Ryan, Stuen, and Walker opposed. Mutchler abstained.
June 22, 2015: Reconsidered and Approved to join with Proposed Amendment 18 as one ballot item, 10-3-1 with Ryan, Stuen, and Walker opposed; May abstained; Langley absent.
Proposition 8 (Charter Review Commission Proposed Amendment 13)
Proposed by Eli Mackiewicz
ALTERING COMPOSITION OF DISTRICTING COMMISSION
The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to alter the requirements for composition of the Districting Commission. This measure would amend Charter Section 4.41 to include representation on the districting committee from each political party with a candidate who receives at least 15% of the vote cast in the County in the last gubernatorial primary or presidential election, with a second representative on the committee assigned to each party of which a candidate for those same elections received at least 33% of the vote. Should this proposal be APPROVED or REJECTED?
May 11, 2015: Amended & approved 11-3, Dow, Ryan, and Sobjack opposed and Mutchler absent
Failed