Come join us this Saturday, October 4 at the Ferndale Public Library to ask questions and understand the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission’s proposed amendments, to be voted on in the November 4 General Election!
About Whatcom County’s Charter Amendments: Home Rule Charter is an optional system of government where a county enacts its own charter to serve as a governmental framework specific to the county. A county charter cannot go against state or federal law, but it can set important democratic rules for things like elections, voting districts, and budgets.
Whatcom County is one of only seven counties in Washington state that has a Charter. Every ten years, we elect 3 representatives from each of the 5 whatcom county districts to review the charter and make recommendations for amendments. Currently a super majority (10 out of 15 commissioners) is required to pass any amendments. If a charter amendment passes the commission, it then goes on the ballot for the following election.
This year, the charter review commission passed twelve amendments. These meetings are an opportunity to learn what the amendments are and how they might impact democratic processes in Whatcom County.
If you are unable to attend this, we will host the event again at the Bellingham Public Library on Sunday, October 26