HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2023-019Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2023-200
File ID: AB2023-200 Version: 1 Status: Adopted
File Created: 03/09/2023 Entered by: SHenthor@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Auditor's Office File Type: Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing
Assigned to: Council Finance and Administrative Services Committee Final Action: 04/11/2023
Agenda Date: 04/11/2023 Enactment #: ORD 2023-019
Primary Contact Email: Dbradricoaco.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Ordinance amending Whatcom County Code Section 1.14 Election Precinct Boundaries
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Changes are needed to precinct boundary lines in Whacom County Code Section 1.14 due to
redistricting completed for Blaine School District 503, Ferndale School District 502, Meridian School
District 505, Mount Baker School District 507, Nooksack Valley School District 506, South Whatcom
Fire Authority, Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer, City of Bellingham, and City of Blaine based on
decennial census information. In addition, internal director district boundaries precinct splits and
identifying labels were incorporated into the precinct maps. Whatcom Couny Code Section 1.14 is
replaced in its entirety with newly established voting precinct boundaries and substituted into the "Book
of Election Precinct Maps" available through the Whatcom County Council Office, the Whatcom
Auditor's Office and online.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
03/21/2023 Council SUBSTITUTE INTRODUCED Council Finance and
FOR PUBLIC HEARING Administrative Services
Committee
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Nay: 0
04/11/2023 Council ADOPTED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Frazey, Galloway, and Kershner
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 411212023
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2023-200)
Nay: 0
Attachments: Substitute Proposed Ordinance (staff initiated) for 3.21 Introduction, Substitute Precinct maps part
1, Substitute Precinct maps part 2, Substitute Precinct maps part 3, Original Precinct maps part
4, Substitute Precinct maps part 5, Summary of changes in substitute precinct maps
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 411212023
PROPOSED BY: AUDITOR
INTRODUCTION DATE: March 2023
ORDINANCE NO. 2023 - 019
AMENDING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 1.14, ELECTORAL PRECINCTS, FOR CHANGES
IN CERTAIN ESTABLISHED VOTING PRECINCT BOUNDARIES IN WHATCOM COUNTY
WHEREAS, Districts that were not on the ballot in 2022 were not required to complete their
redistricting exercises until November 15, 2022; and
WHEREAS, redistricting was completed for Blaine School District 503, Ferndale School District
502, Meridian School District 505, Mt Baker School District 507, Nooksack Valley School District 506,
South Whatcom Fire Authority, Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer, City of Bellingham and City of Blaine;
and
WHEREAS, precinct splits and interior director districts have been incorporated into the
precinct maps; and
WHEREAS, precincts located on the coast were revised to appropriately extend the precinct
boundary into the water; and
WHEREAS, RCW 29A.16.040(2) limits precinct size to 1,500 registered voters; and
WHEREAS, precinct 306 is a new precinct in the City of Blaine; and
WHEREAS, the following precincts have external boundary changes: 102, 103, 105, 113, 114,
117, 118, 128, 131, 135, 146, 152, 155, 156, 157, 175, 176, 178, 201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 601;
and
WHEREAS, the following precincts have internal splits added: 106, 109, 115, 126, 129, 131,
132, 136, 137, 139, 146, 147, 148, 151, 153, 156, 158, 161, 166, 169, 170, 171, 174, 175, 177, 178, 202,
237, 305, 401, 503, 507, 508, 509; and
WHEREAS, precinct splits were removed from the following precincts: 111, 112, 113, 114, 118,
164; a n d
WHEREAS, identifying information has been added to the bottom of all precinct maps; and
WHEREAS, RCW 29A.16.040 provides the county legislative authority shall divide the county
into precincts and establish boundaries for the precincts; and this statute further provides that no
precinct boundary changes may be made starting fourteen (14) days prior to the first day candidates
may file for the primary election through the period ending with day of the general election; and
WHEREAS, RCW 29A.16.070 provides the County Auditor shall transfer and notify any
registered voters that may be affected by the change in boundaries.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that all previous
ordinances establishing voting precinct boundaries for Whatcom County are hereby repealed.
BE IT FINALLY ORDAINED that Whatcom County Code Section 1.14 is hereby amended in
its entirety with newly established voting precinct boundaries and maps and substituted into the "Book
of Election Precinct Maps"; said revised Book of Maps is available through the Whatcom County
Council Office, and . online through the Election page at the Whatcom County Auditor's Office
homepage.
ADOPTED this 11th. day of April
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Vana Brown-tiavis. Courity Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ Royce Buckingham approved via email on 4/12/2023/MR
Royce Buckingham, Civil Deputy Prosecutor
2023.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATCO NT , WASHINGTON
Ba uchanan, Council Chair
04 Approved ( ) Denied
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Satpal Sidhu, Aounty Executive
Date: t IIs _I2s