FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Whatcom County Council Office, 676-6690

COUNTY COUNCIL SEEKS APPLICANTS TO WRITE VOTER PAMPHLET STATEMENTS
Council will appoint citizens to Pro Statement and Con Statement Committees

July 14, 2015 – The County Council must appoint either 2 or 3 people to committees that will write the voter pamphlet pro or con statements and rebuttals for Charter amendment ballot measures on the November general election. For each ballot measure, the Council appoints a committee to write a statement arguing in favor of the measure and another committee to write a statement against. Council will appoint the committees at its regular evening meeting at 7 p.m. on July 21. Nine County ballot measures that would amend the Whatcom County Charter are scheduled for the 2015 general election. The Council will consider a 10th measure at its meeting on July 21.
The Charter Review Commission proposed the first 8 ballot measures: Proposition 1 is about electing council members by district. Proposition 2 is limiting the power of the council to amend the charter. Proposition 3 is limiting the power of council to amend the charter’s election provisions. Proposition 4 is increasing the word limit for ballot questions. Proposition 5 is lowering the threshold for initiative and referendum signatures. Proposition 6 is lowering the number of signatures required for citizens initiatives to amend the charter. Proposition 7 is term limits for the county executive and county council members. Proposition 8 is altering the composition of the districting commission. The County Council proposes a 9th proposition to create five council districts. If the Council approves, proposition 10 would require a supermajority of the charter review commission to propose charter amendments.
When appointed, the pro and con committees must submit their initial statements to the County Auditor by Monday, August 17. The rebuttal statements are due to the Auditor by Thursday, August 20. To volunteer for a committee, please call or email the County Council Office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 20 at 360-676-6690 or [email protected] Provide your name, which committee you are volunteering for, and your contact information, including phone number and email address. If appointed, name and contact information will be shared with other committee members.