By Karen Crowley / For The Herald
Here’s a quick test. What document establishes the principles and rules defining Snohomish County government?
Our county is one of seven counties in the state of Washington that is governed by its own Home Rule Charter. Like any constitution, the charter answers big questions. What powers are reserved for the County Council? What powers does the County Executive have? How are district boundaries determined? And so much more.
Every 10 years, we have the power and opportunity to review the current charter and recommend changes. Who does this work? The Snohomish County Charter Review Commission.
The commission consists of 15 members who will be elected this November in the general election. Voters will elect three commissioners from each of the five council districts in the county. This may feel different to you. All candidates from each council district will be listed on the ballot for your district and you will vote for three candidates. The three candidates receiving the most votes within each district will be elected to the commission.
Who can run for this commission? Each candidate must have lived within the county for three years prior to filing for office, be 21 years of age or older on Election Day, and be a registered voter in the council district in which the candidate files. While not required, it is certainly helpful to understand government processes.
Once elected, the commission will begin work in January 2026. The term is one year. Each Charter Review Commission establishes its own procedures. Past commissions have reached out for input from the public, county officials, city and town officials and other interested parties. This has been done in part through a series of evening meetings held throughout the county. Recommendations will go before the public as propositions that will be placed on the ballot in November 2026. The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County will encourage the 2026 Commission to actively seek public input on recommended changes to the Charter.
The 2016 Charter Review Commission recommended a number of changes that were approved by voters:
Proposition 1 and 3 together created the Human Rights Commission and memorialized a nondiscrimination policy to be overseen by the Human Right Commission.
Proposition 2 created the Public Advocate position.
Proposition 5 established the requirement for certain county council actions to take place in the evenings and within the council districts.
So, this work matters. If serving on the Charter Review Commission is of interest to you, please consider running for the office. Candidates may file by mail starting April 21. Online and in-person filing opens at 8 a.m. May 5 and closes at 5 p.m. on May 9. Find more information on the Snohomish County Elections website.
The rules that determine how government works should matter deeply to all of us. It has been said that the Charter Review Commission is, in essence, a mini constitutional convention. These elected officials will be making important recommendations that affect each of us. Because the work happens every 10 years, we need to be reminded of its importance.
The League of Women Voters encourages each of us to pay attention. Consider running for this position. Ask questions of the candidates; and then take advantage of all opportunities to share your ideas. Democracy only works when we participate.
Karen Crowley is immediate past president of the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County.
File for office
Filing Week for Snohomish County elections is May 5-9. For more information about running for office, go to tinyurl.com/SnoCoElexFiling.
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