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Home My WebLink About2025 - Whatcom County Charter Amendment Prop No. 5 Modifying the Redistricting Process - General and Special November 5, 2025Summary Report Page: 1 of 2 Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2025, Nov 04, 2025 2025-11-24 All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, WC Prop 1 Auth Councilmembers to 16:40:46 Hire Aides, WC Prop 10 Initial Rules Charter Review Comm Meetings, WC Prop 11 Adjust Sig Requirements for Charter Amend, WC Prop 12 Land Supply and Construction Cost Analysis, WC Prop 2 Establish Office Ombuds, WC Prop 3 Establishing Performance Audits, WC Prop 4 Power and Duties Elected Officials, WC Prop 5 Modifying Redistricting Process, WC Prop 6 Adjusting Signatures Required for Referendum, WC Prop 7 Prohibiting County Gov from Interfering, WC Prop 8 Modifying Budget Process, WC Prop 9 Add Accountability to Financial Reporting, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 76618, Registered Voters: 169242, Overall Turnout: 45 27% _ Choice Votes Vote % All Precincts WC Prop 1 Auth Councilmembers to Hire Aides (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (0 over voted ballots, 0 overvotes, 5285 undervotes), Approved 26560 31.23'':, Reiected 44173 62 7i"1" Total 71333 100.00% Overvotes 0 Undervotes 5285 WC Prop 2 Establish Office Ombuds (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (3 over voted ballots, 3 overvotes, 3421 undervotes), Approved 35918 49.07% Reiected 37276 50.93% Total 73194 100.00% Overvotes 3 Undervotes 3421 WC Prop 3 Establishing Performance Audits (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots 0 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 3959 undervotes), Approved 62001 85.33% Reiected 10657 14.67% Total 72658 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3959 WC Prop 4 Power and Duties Elected Officials (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 3848 undervotes), Approved 67059 92.15% Reiected 5710 7.85% Total 72769 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3848 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% WC Prop 5 Modifying Redistricting Process (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (4 over voted ballots, 4 overvotes, 5073 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 56628 79.15% Reiected 14913 20.85% Total 71541 100.00% Overvotes 4 Undervotes 5073 WC Prop 6 Adjusting Signatures Required for Referendum (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 3954 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 33995 46.78% Reiected 38668 53.22% Total 72663 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3954 WC Prop 7 Prohibiting County Gov from Interfering (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (4 over voted ballots. 4 overvotes, 4582 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 43647 60 59% Rejected 28385 39.41 % Summary Report Page: 2 of 2 Whatcom County, Washington, GENERAL 2025, Nov 04, 2025 2025-11-24 All Precincts, All Districts, All Counter Groups, All ScanStations, WC Prop 1 Auth Councilmembers to 16:40:46 Hire Aides, WC Prop 10 Initial Rules Charter Review Comm Meetings, WC Prop 11 Adjust Sig Requirements for Charter Amend, WC Prop 12 Land Supply and Construction Cost Analysis, WC Prop 2 Establish Office Ombuds, WC Prop 3 Establishing Performance Audits, WC Prop 4 Power and Duties Elected Officials, WC Prop 5 Modifying Redistricting Process, WC Prop 6 Adjusting Signatures Required for Referendum, WC Prop 7 Prohibiting County Gov from Interfering, WC Prop 8 Modifying Budget Process, WC Prop 9 Add Accountability to Financial Reporting, All Boxes Total Ballots Cast: 76618, Reclistered Voters: 169242, Overall Turnout: 45 27% _ Choice Votes Vote % Total 72032 100.00% Overvotes 4 Undervotes 4582 WC Prop 8 Modifying Budget Process (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (2 over voted ballots. 2 overvotes, 4117 undervotes), Approved 67706 93 39°,, Rejected 4793 6.61 i� Total 72499 100.00% Overvotes 2 Undervotes 4117 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% WC Prop 9 Add Accountability to Financial Reporting (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (1 over voted ballots, 1 overvotes, 3830 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 67942 93.34% Rejected 4845 6.66% Total 72787 100.00% Overvotes 1 Undervotes 3830 WC Prop 10 Initial Rules Charter Review Comm Meetings (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (3 over voted ballots, 3 overvotes, 6455 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 58991 84 Rejected 11169 1 5.92% Total 70160 100.00% Overvotes 3 Undervotes 6455 WC Prop 11 Adjust Sig Requirements for Charter Amend (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (4 over voted ballots, 4 overvotes, 6701 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 28650 40 98% Rejected 41263 59.02% Total 69913 100.00% Overvotes 4 Undervotes 6701 WC Prop 12 Land Supply and Construction Cost Analysis (Vote for 1) 76618 ballots (2 over voted ballots. 2 overvotes, 6275 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 61134 86.91% Reiected 9207 13 09% Total 70341 100.00% Overvotes 2 Undervotes 6275 STATE OF WASHINGTON ) ) ss COUNTY OF WHATCOM ) A canvass of the votes cast by qualified voters in Whatcom County for the district's submitted ballot measure for the November 4, 2025 Special Election is complete. The results of the election were duly canvassed by the Whatcom County Canvassing Board on November 25, 2025, and the results of said canvass are above. Dated this 2nd day of December, 2025, Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington. Stacy Henthornv County Auditor ProRosition No 5 - Modifying the Redistricting Process Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to modify the process of adjusting the boundaries of each district in the county as is required once every ten years. This measure would amend Article 4 of the Whatcom County Charter to clarify the powers and appointment process for the chair of the Districting Committee, require the Committee to comply with state law on redistricting, and adjust timelines to align with the availability of census data. The measure would also require that the Districting Committee hold a public hearing before adopting a redistricting plan. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement The Charter requires that a Districting Committee be appointed every 10 years in order to adjust district boundaries based on population information from the federal census. The Charter does not currently indicate the powers and duties of the chair of that committee nor does it reference state law governing redistricting. If adopted, this amendment would set the powers and duties of the chair, explicitly require the Committee follow state law on redistricting, and correlate the timeframe for redistricting based on when the County receives census information. Amending Language Article 4 - Elections Section 4.40 District Boundaries. The boundaries of each district shall be consistent with the criteria set forth in RCW 29A.76.010. Section 4.41 Districting Committee. No later than November 30 of the year the decennial United States federal census is conducted , thereafteT, a five -member Districting Committee shall be appointed. The County Council shall appoint four persons to the committee, two from each major political party, the four to appoint the fifth who shall be the 6chairman. The chair shall serve as a nonvoting member of the districting committee If a majority of the committee members cannot agree on a committee chair within 30 calendar days after the appointment of the committee members the Council no later than 60 calendar days after the appointment of the committee members, shall appoint a fifth person to serve as committee chair. The Districting Committee shall within thirty (30) calendar days of its appointment meet and appoint a Districting Master who shall be qualified by education, training and experience to draw a districting plan. If the Districting Committee is unable to agree upon the appointment of a Districting Master within thirty (30) calendar days, the County Council shall appoint a Districting Master by March 31 of that year. Page 9 [ mstri t bnf " District Name: District Address: Contact Person 1 Whatcom County Auditor's Office Ballot Measure Coversheet Whatcom County 311 Grand Ave., Bellingham WA 98225 Jenna Gernand, Legislative Coordinator Name & Title 360-778-5017, jgernand@co.whatcom.wa.us 1 Contact Person 2 Kirsten Smith, Deputy Clerk Name & Title 360-778-5015, ksmith@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email , Phone & email Kellen Kooistra Name 360-778-5751, kkooistr@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? Yes 0 No D11, Resolution with original signatures or a certified copy 0Yes No Explanatory Statement prepared by your attorney, not to exceed 100 words Yes No Committee Appointment Forms separate forms for each committee lot Yes 0 No Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet (i) Yes (D No Auditor's Office Use pecoived In person i,G 0 5 2525 Whatcorn Coy my Elections Proposition/Initiative N rnI er � Deputy Auditor's Signa[ Missing document(s): I understand that the submittal deadline date for the missing documents is and the Auditor's Office will not begin processing this ballot measure until all documents have been submitted. Presenter's Signature Reviewed 12/12/2023 CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL July 29, 2025 MEMORANDUM To: County Auditor Stacy Henthorn From: Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair T4 RE: Submittal of 2025 Charter Review Commission Amendments COUNCILMEMBERS Barry Buchanan Tyler Byrd Todd Donovan Ben Elenbaas Kaylee Galloway Jon Scanlon Mark Stremler The County Council, at its July 22, 2025 meeting, voted 7-0 to receive the amendments put forward by the Charter Review Commission and submit them to the Auditor's office for the Nov. 4, 2025 General Election. Senior Deputy Prosecutor Kellen Kooistra wrote ballot titles and explanatory statements for the amendments, with input from the Charter Review Commission. Cc: Cathy Halka, Clerk of the Council Attachment: 2025 Proposed Charter Amendments COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 S WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL CLERK'S CERTIFICATE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC For AB2025-507: Receipt of the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission's proposed amendments to Whatcom County voters and submittal to the Auditor I, the undersigned, duly chosen, qualified, and acting Clerk of the County Council of Whatcom County, Washington, and keeper of the records of the County Council (hereinafter referred to as "Council"), DO HEREBY CERTIFY: 1. The attached record of the Whatcom County Council, AB2025-507, is a true and correct copy of the original file, consisting of 21 pages, as maintained and duly recorded in my office pursuant to RCW 36.22.010(6), 36.32.140; 2. Said file is maintained in all respects in accordance with law, and that the content of the file has not, to the best of my knowledge, been altered; 3. lam authorized as Clerk of the Whatcom County Council to execute this certificate. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the Whatcom County Council, this 28 day of July, 2025. WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY WASHINGTON ,i�IlllliP I!!!!!�!, \N10 C O I�ffi a Ca4ygH Q COu • Cleric of the Council Sl"AYE OF SFl I ri a 0 a e - a e COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 S WHATCOM COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION TO: Whatcom County Council FROM: 2025 Whatcom County Charter Review Commission DATE: July 10, 2025 RE: Charter Review Commission Recommended Amendments to Voters Liz Darrow, Chair Jennifer Wright, vice -Chair The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission recommends twelve (12) Charter amendments to the voters for the November 4, 2025 General Election. Please forward these amendments to the Whatcom County Auditor per Charter Section 8.20. The full text of the amendments and expanatory statements follow. Liz Darrow, Chair Approved via text 7.14.25/ks Jennifer Wright, Vice -Chair District 1: Liz Darrow, Joel Pitts -Jordan, Andrew Reding; District 2: Eamonn Collins, Colton Kaltenfeldt, Maya Morales; District 3: Doug Chadwick, Jessica Rienstra, Jennifer Wright; District 4: Joe Elenbaas, Brad Kelly Hannah Ordos; District 5: Lindsey Graham Elenbaas, Jon Mutchler, Rod Stump Proposition No. 5 - Modifying the Redistricting Process Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to modify the process of adjusting the boundaries of each district in the county as is required once every ten years. This measure would amend Article 4 of the Whatcom County Charter to clarify the powers and appointment process for the chair of the Districting Committee, require the Committee to comply with state law on redistricting, and adjust timelines to align with the availability of census data. The measure would also require that the Districting Committee hold a public hearing before adopting a redistricting plan. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement The Charter requires that a Districting Committee be appointed every 10 years in order to adjust district boundaries based on population information from the federal census. The Charter does not currently indicate the powers and duties of the chair of that committee nor does it reference state law governing redistricting. If adopted, this amendment would set the powers and duties of the chair, explicitly require the Committee follow state law on redistricting, and correlate the timeframe for redistricting based on when the County receives census information. Amending Language Article 4 - Elections Section 4.40 District Boundaries. The boundaries of each district shall be consistent with the criteria set forth in RCW 29A.76.010. eeffespend as nearly as ppaetiea! with the beundaFies of election preeinets and geographie units w1gieh are approximately equal in pepulatien. Section 4.41 Districting Committee. No later than November 30 of the year the decennial United States federal census is conducted thereafter, a five -member Districting Committee shall be appointed. The County Council shall appoint four persons to the committee, two from each major political party, the four to appoint the fifth who shall be the Gchairr. The chair shall serve as a nonvoting member of the districting committee. If a majority of the committee members cannot agree on a committee chair within 30 calendar days after the appointment of the committee members the Council, no later than 60 calendar days after the appointment of the committee members shall appoint a fifth person to serve as committee chair. The Districting Committee shall within thirty (30) calendar days of its appointment meet and appoint a Districting Master who shall be qualified by education, training and experience to draw a districting plan. If the Districting Committee is unable to agree upon the appointment of a Districting Master within thirty (30) calendar days, the County Council shall appoint a Districting Master by March 31 of that year. Page 9 Section 4.42 Districting Plan - - - - -- -- - - rAMM - - Within 50 days after the later of (a) -appointment of the Districting Master ❑r b the availability of Public Law 94-171 data as adjusted pursuant to RCW 44.05.140 the Districtin Master shall draw a redistricting plan for the county that is consistent with the requirements 10 and submit the plan to the committee for ado tion. The committee shall conduct a ublic hearing at least one weer before proposed adoption. The committee shall adopt ❑r amend the redistricting -plan within 30 days of submission t❑ the committee. The redistricting Ian shall be adopted as submitted by the Districtin Master or as amended by a vote of three of the four voting members of the districtin committee, lJ on adoption, the plan shall be filed by the Districting Committee with the Council and the County Auditor The plan shall became effective upon filing_ Page 10