Once in a decade election for Snohomish County Charter Review Commission will occur on Nov. 4th – ballots arriving now
This weekend, Snohomish County voters will receive their ballots for the 2025 General Election. Among other races, this ballot will include the opportunity to select three candidates to represent you on the Snohomish County Charter Review Commission.
What is the Charter Review Commission?
Snohomish County is a charter county. The charter is the highest law in the county, and it can only be amended by a vote of the people. Every ten years (as we are doing in 2025), voters elect 15 commissioners (3 commissioners per geographic district) to serve an unpaid one-year term on the Charter Review Commission. The Commission’s role is to review the current charter, evaluate potential changes, receive public input, and ultimately propose charter amendments to be considered by a vote of the people on the subsequent General Election ballot (in this case, 2026.)
Why does the Charter Review Commission matter?
Big changes can be proposed through the Charter Review Commission. These changes, if approved, can be very difficult to undo, as the Charter Review Commission only meets to evaluate changes once per decade. Potential changes include adopting ranked-choice voting, expanding the number of Council positions, and changes to the way tax increases are adopted.
It is critical that citizens make their voice heard through the Charter Review Commission. That starts by voting in this fall’s General Election to select your three preferred Charter Review Commission candidates to represent your geographic district.