I applaud the Everett City Council’s decision on July 31 to follow the charter and not put districts on the general election ballot. The petition was far short of having the required number of signatures. Primary election results indicate that Everett voters presently do not support districts.
In 2016 districts were brought to the Charter Review Committee supported by misleading statements about the council history. The commission rejected the proposed charter revisions.
The www.districtsnow.org website identifies widespread voter apathy in neighborhoods as the problem. True, but districts are not the solution. Districts with low interest and poor voter participation may find few or no qualified candidates. Incompetent candidates could be put in office by a small number of voters. Look at your voter pamphlet and check out the candidates that don’t bother to submit a written statement. One candidate’s statement said he ran because he “had no social life.” These could be your district’s only choice. There may be a time when districts make sense for Everett, but not until this is fixed.
I’ve lived at the same location in the proposed District 3 for over 40 years. I vote and when I choose candidates, I don’t check where they live. I oppose this attempt to take away my right to vote for all seven council members. I am affected by the decisions of all council members and I should have a say in their selection. Why would anyone want to give that up?
Robert Mayer
Everett
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