Help write statements against ballot measures; deadline Friday

By Evan Smith

Friday is the deadline to volunteer to join a committee to write a voters’-pamphlet statement against the Fire District 1 tax measure on the Nov. 8 general-election ballot and to volunteer to join committees to write statements against any of five proposed county-charter amendments on the ballot.

Snohomish County elections officials are looking for people to write statements for the local voters’ pamphlet. The local voter’s pamphlet is delivered to every household in the county just before elections officials mail general-election ballots.

Officials at the county auditor’s office choose committees of three people, one of whom becomes chair and contact person for the auditor’s office. Committees may get help from any other individuals or groups.

The Fire District 1 measure would maintain a regular property-tax levy of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The county also seeks members of committees to write statements against proposed county charter amendments 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7.

Proposed charter amendment 2 would establish an office of public advocate; proposed amendment 3 would set a county policy on non-discrimination; proposed amendment 5 deals with county council meetings and hearings; proposed amendment 6 deals with appointment of chief executive officers; and proposed amendment 7 would revise the county redistricting process.

County officials say anyone interested in joining a committee should have a clear interest for or against the ballot measure, be able to work cooperatively with other committee members, and have time available through Aug. 19. Most committees communicate through email.

Each committee writes a 250-word statement for or against a local ballot measure for the local voters’ pamphlet. Committees also prepare 75-word rebuttals to opposition statements. Statements are due no later than 5 p.m. Aug. 16. Rebuttal statements are due no later than 5 p.m. Aug. 19.

Anyone interested in serving on a committee should email a statement of interest to elections@snoco.org by Friday, Aug. 12, or contact the auditor’s office at 425-388-3321. Individuals will be appointed by the auditor and will be notified after Aug. 12.

A statement of interest includes the person’s name and contact information, the district and ballot measure committee he or she is interested in working on, and any information on why he or she should be on the committee.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.

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