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Home My WebLink About2025 - Whatcom County Charter Amendment Prop No. 7 Prohibiting County Government from Interfering with Initiatives and Charter Amendments - 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 37.23% Reiected 44773 62.77% Total 71333 100.00% Overvotes 0 Undervotes 5285 169242 registered, voters, turnout 45.27% WC Prop 2 Establish Office Ombuds (Vote for 1) 3 3421 undervotes), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 76618 ballots (3 over voted ballots, overvotes, 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) 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 76618 ballots (1 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) 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 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 WC Prop 5 Modifying Redistricting Process (Vote for 1) 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% 76618 ballots (4 over voted ballots, 4 overvotes, 5073 undervotes), 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 0 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 Re istered 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), 169242 registered voters, turnout 45.27% Approved 67706 93.39% Rejected 4793 6.61 % Total 72499 100.00% Overvotes 2 Undervotes 4117 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 84.08% Rejected 11169 15.92% 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% Rejected 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. Cs�4—V4 �— Stacy Henthorn County Auditor Proposition No 7 Prohibiting County Government from Interfering with Initiatives and Charter Amendments Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to prohibit the county government from taking official action in relation to an initiative or a charter amendment. This measure would amend Articles 5 and 8 of the Whatcom County Charter to prohibit the County Council from acting to impede, alter, or prevent an initiative or charter amendment from being placed on the ballot and prohibit any county official from expending county resources in support of or opposition to an initiative or charter amendment. It would also prohibit the Council from delaying implementation of an initiative or charter amendment approved by voters. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement Currently, the charter does not explicitly prohibit government officials from taking official action in relation to an initiative or a charter amendment proposed by a member of the public. If adopted, this amendment would prohibit the Council from acting to prevent such an initiative or charter amendment from being placed on the ballot once the Auditor has certified it. County officials would also be prohibited from using government resources in support or opposition to an initiative or charter amendment. Councilmembers would not be prohibited from acting as private citizens in opposition to such measures. Amending Language Article 5 - The Public Interest Article 8 - Charter Review and Amendments New Section: 5.61 Council Role and Use of Public Resources (1) Once an initiative petition has been certified by the Auditor as sufficient the County Council shall take no action to impede alter, or prevent the measure from being placed on the ballot. (2) The Council its individual members in their official capacity and any County department or office shall not expend County funds use County resources or initiate litigation to advocate for or against or to leaall ry challenge the validity of any citizen initiative prior to the measure being voted on by the electorate unless compelled to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction. (3) Nothing in this section shall prevent individual councilmembers acting solely in their capacity as private citizens from expressing_ personal opinions regarding any initiatives provided that no County resources are used in doing so. (4) If an initiative is approved by the electorate, the Council shall enact the measure into county code within ninety (90) days of certification of the election results. The Council shall take no action to delay or refuse the implementation of the initiative as approved by the voters. Page 13 District Name: Whatcom County Whatcom County Auditor's Office Ballot Measure Coversheet District Address: 311 Grand Ave., Bellingham WA 98225 Contact Person 1 ' Contact Person 2 Jenna Gernand, Legislative Coordinator I Kirsten Smith, Deputy Clerk Name & Title 360-778-5017, jgernand@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Kellen Kooistra Name 360-778-5751, kkooistr@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Resolution with original signatures or a certified copy Name & Title 360-778-5015, ksmith@co.whatcom.wa.us Phone & email Has your attorney prepared this ballot measure? & Yes 0 No Yes 0 No Explanatory Statement prepared by your attorney, not to exceed 100 words I Yes 0 No Committee Appointment Forms separate forms for each committee + Yes 0 No Completed Ballot Measure Coversheet Auditor's Office Use �),ecewed In Persm AUG 0 5 2025 Whatcom COUPA'I Elections Proposition/Initiative N nn4 .er Deputy Auditor's Signa[ Yes G No 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 MEMORANDUM TO: Whatcom County Auditor's Office FROM: Kirsten Smith, Council Office DATE: August 13, 2025 RE: Proposition 7 - Charter Review COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 Please find attached an updated version of Charter Review Proposition 7 to be put before the voters at the November 4, 2025 General Election. The version of Proposition 7 that was transmitted to your office on August 5, 2025 inadvertedly omitted the title of New Section 8.25, Council Role and Use of Public Resources for Charter Amendments, in the Amending Language section. The Charter Review Commission approved a version of this proposition with the title intact on June 16, 2025. Proposition No. 7 - Prohibiting County Government from Interfering with Initiatives and Charter Amendments Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to prohibit the county government from taking official action in relation to an initiative or a charter amendment. This measure would amend Articles 5 and 8 of the Whatcom County Charter to prohibit the County Council from acting to impede, alter, or prevent an initiative or charter amendment from being placed on the ballot and prohibit any county official from expending county resources in support of or opposition to an initiative or charter amendment. It would also prohibit the Council from delaying implementation of an initiative or charter amendment approved by voters. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement Currently, the charter does not explicitly prohibit government officials from taking official action in relation to an initiative or a charter amendment proposed by a member of the public. If adopted, this amendment would prohibit the Council from acting to prevent such an initiative or charter amendment from being placed on the ballot once the Auditor has certified it. County officials would also be prohibited from using government resources in support or opposition to an initiative or charter amendment. Councilmembers would not be prohibited from acting as private citizens in opposition to such measures. Amending Language Article 5 - The Public Interest Article 8 - Charter Review and Amendments New Section: 5.61 Council Role and Use of Public Resources 1 Once an initiative getitlon has been, certified by the Auditor as sufficient the Count Council shall take no action to impede, alter, or 1prevent the measure from being laced on the ballot. 2 The Council its individual members in their official ca!pacjty, and any County de artment or office shall not expend County funds use County resources or initiate litigation to advocate for or against, or to legally challenge the validity of, any citizen initiative prior to the measure being voted on by the electorate unless compelled to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction. _ ) Nothing in this section shall prevent individual councilmembers, acting solely in their capacity as private citizens from expressing ersonal opinions regarding any initiative provided that no County resources are used in doin so. (4a If an initiative is approved by the electorate, the Council shall enact the measure into county code within ninety 90days of certification of the election results. The Council shall Page 2 take no action to delay or refuse the im lementation of the initiative as.aPproved by the voters. Section 8.20 Charter Amendment - General Provisions Charter amendments may be proposed by the Commission, the County Council or by the public. Any proposed Charter amendment shall be filed and registered with the Auditor and submitted to the voters at the next November general election occurring at least ninety (90) days after registration of the proposed amendment with the Auditor. If more than one amendment is submitted on the same ballot, they shall be submitted in such a manner that the people may vote for or against the amendments separately; provided, an amendment which embraces a single or inter -related subject may be submitted as a single proposition even though it is composed of changes to one or more articles. If a proposed amendment is approved by a majority of the voters voting on the issues, it shall be effective ten (10) days after the results of the election are certified, unless a later date is specified in the petition or ordinance proposing the amendment. Any implementing ordinance required by any Charter amendment shall be enacted by the Council within eF9e .t..�gG) ninety (90). days after the amendment is effective, unless the amendment provides otherwise. The Council shall take no action to delay or refuse the implementation of the amendment as approved by the voters. New Section: 8.25 Council Role and Use of Public Resources for Charter Amendments 1 Once a charter amendment netition under Section 8.22 has been certified by the Auditor as sufficient the County Council shall take no action to impede, alter, or prevent the measure from being placed on the ballot. 2 The Council its individual members in their official capacity, and any County department or office shall not expend County funds use County resources or initiate litigation to advocate for or against, or to legally challenge the validit gf_any public initiated charter amendment orlor to the measure being voted on by the electorate unless coml2elled to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction. 3 Nothing in this section shall Drevent individual councilmembers acting solely in their caipacity as -private citizens from exl2ressinQ personal opinions regarding anV charter amendment,_ provided that no County resources are used in doing so. Page 3 CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CMC COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 Bellingham, WA 98225-4038 (360)778-5010 July 29, 2025 MEMORANDUM G WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL To: County Auditor Stacy Henthorn From: Kaylee Galloway, Council Chair T6 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 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL CLERK'S CERTIFICATE CLERK OF THE COUNCIL Cathy Halka, AICP, CIVIC 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. 1 am 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 oa Catfayr�F#a�k� G� Cledc of the COunCil a • — r SPAT E OF COUNTY COURTHOUSE 311 Grand Avenue, Suite #105 Beilingham, WA 98225-4038 (360) 778-5010 o cy.• �shI WG4 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. 7 - Prohibiting County Government from Interfering with Initiatives and Charter Amendments Ballot Title The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the Whatcom County Charter to prohibit the county government from taking official action in relation to an initiative or a charter amendment. This measure would amend Articles 5 and 8 of the Whatcom County Charter to prohibit the County Council from acting to impede, alter, or prevent an initiative or charter amendment from being placed on the ballot and prohibit any county official from expending county resources in support of or opposition to an initiative or charter amendment. It would also prohibit the Council from delaying implementation of an initiative or charter amendment approved by voters. Should this proposal be: Approved Rejected Explanatory Statement Currently, the charter does not explicitly prohibit government officials from taking official action in relation to an initiative or a charter amendment proposed by a member of the public. If adopted, this amendment would prohibit the Council from acting to prevent such an initiative or charter amendment from being placed on the ballot once the Auditor has certified it. County officials would also be prohibited from using government resources in support or opposition to an initiative or charter amendment. Councilmembers would not be prohibited from acting as private citizens in opposition to such measures. Amending Language Article 5 - The Public Interest Article 8 - Charter Review and Amendments New Section: 5.61 Council Role and Use of Public Resources (1) Once an initiative petition has been certified by the Auditor as sufficient, the County Council shall take no action to impede, alter, or prevent the measure from being laced on the ballot. 2 The Council, its individual members in their official capacity, and any County department or office shall not expend County funds use County resources or initiate litigation to advocate for or against, or to legally challenge the validity of any citizen initiative prior to the measure being voted on by the electorate unless cam elled to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction. 3 Nothing in this section shall prevent individual councilmembers acting solely in their capacity as private citizens from expressing ersonal opinions regarding any initiative provided that no County resources are used in doing so. 4 If an initiative is approved by the electorate the Council shall enact the measure into county code within ninety (90) days of certification of the election results. The Council shall take no action to delay or refuse the implementation of the initiative as approved by the voters. Page 13 Section 8.20 Charter Amendment — General Provisions Charter amendments may be proposed by the Commission, the County Council or by the public. Any proposed Charter amendment shall be filed and registered with the Auditor and submitted to the voters at the next November general election occurring at least ninety (90) days after registration of the proposed amendment with the Auditor. If more than one amendment is submitted on the same ballot, they shall be submitted in such a manner that the people may vote for or against the amendments separately; provided, an amendment which embraces a single or inter -related subject may be submitted as a single proposition even though it is composed of changes to one or more articles. If a proposed amendment is approved by a majority of the voters voting on the issues, it shall be effective ten (10) days after the results of the election are certified, unless a later date is specified in the petition or ordinance proposing the amendment. Any implementing ordinance required by any Charter amendment shall be enacted by the Council within =nE +r�dd and e8} ninety (90] days after the amendment is effective, unless the amendment provides otherwise. The Council shall take no action to delay or refuse the im lementation of the amendment as a roved b the voters. New Section: 8.25 (1) Once a charter amendment petition under Section 8.22 has been certified by the Auditor as sufficient the County Council shall take no action to impede, alter, or prevent the measure from being laced on the ballot. The Council its individual members in their official ca acit and an Count de artment or office shall not ex end Count funds use Count resources or initiate liti atic�n to advocate for or against, or to legally challenge the validity of any public initiated charter amendment prior to the measure being voted on by the electorate unless compelled to do s❑ by a court of conmpetent jurisdiction. 3 Nothing in this section shall prevent individual councilmembers acting solely in their capacity as private citizens from ex ressin ersonal o inions re ardin an charter amendment, provided that no Count resources are used in doing so. Page 14