Seven of Washington’s 39 counties operate under what’s known as home rule, an organizational structure that enables residents to weigh in more directly on how their government operates.
Earlier this week Clark County League members hosted “What Can Your Charter Do for You?”, a workshop to help voters learn more about home rule. The workshop was timed in advance of a November vote to elect 15 people to update—or review—the county’s governing document, otherwise known as the charter.
Longtime League member Judie Stanton explained that the workshop gave voters a much better understanding of the significance of their vote when they elect new members of the Clark County Charter Review Commission. Stanton has a solid grasp on the issue, having served as a Clark County commissioner (1997-2004) before Clark voters approved their first home-rule charter in 2015.
Stanton said she believes Clark County voters adopted the home-rule form of government in part because it called for county councilors to be elected by district rather than countywide. “People felt like they might have a representative on the council who would vote more as they wanted them to vote.”
Stanton, who also previously served as Clark County League president, explained that voters in Clark County first, in 2014, elected a panel of freeholders to prepare the initial charter. Voters adopted the charter the following year.
Now, every five years, in Clark County, new commissioners must review the charter.
The Clark County League hosted a workshop earlier this week called “What Can Your Charter Do for You?” at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library. From left are Teresa Torres, LWV Clark County: Jackie Lane, LWV Clark County; Doug Lasher, Clark County treasurer; Nan Henriksen, former Camas mayor; Greg Kimsey, Clark County auditor; and Pat Jollata, former Vancouver City Council.
State law makes the commission form the standard form of a county’s government unless voters adopt the home-rule charter system.
Whatcom, Clallam, King, Snohomish, Pierce and San Juan counties also have adopted the home-rule system.
The LWV of Bellingham-Whatcom’s Civics Ed group produced a video about the county home-rule charter system last year. Check it out here.
The LWV of Snohomish County is hosting a live-streamed panel presentation "Charter Review Commission? Say What?" on Oct. 11 on YouTube. The presentation will explain the work of the commission and the election process, as well as answer questions from viewers. Learn more.
