County Council adopts 14% signature threshold for referendum ballot proposals

The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission convened on May 29, 2025, to discuss significant amendments regarding the referendum process for county elections. The meeting focused on proposals to adjust the required number of signatures needed to place a referendum on the ballot, shifting from a gubernatorial election standard to one based on the county executive election.

The first item on the agenda was the proposal to change the required signatures from 8% of the gubernatorial election votes to 15% of the votes cast in the last county executive election. This proposal was initially moved to a later date for further discussion, but the commission proceeded to deliberate on its implications.

Commissioner Redding expressed concerns that the proposed change would not lead to meaningful reform, arguing that it would maintain the status quo with only minor differences. He emphasized the importance of allowing the public to have a direct say in governance, suggesting that the proposal did not achieve this goal. Other commissioners, however, defended the proposal, asserting that it would create consistency within the charter and align local processes with existing state standards.

A motion was made to amend the proposal from 15% to 11%, which sparked further debate. Supporters of the amendment argued that lowering the threshold would enhance public participation and make it easier for citizens to initiate referendums. However, the motion to amend failed with a vote of 9 to 6, leading the commission back to the original proposal.

Subsequently, a new amendment was proposed to adjust the required percentage to 14%. This amendment was accepted and passed with a vote of 14 in favor and 1 abstention. The commission then moved to put the amended proposal before voters, which also passed with a strong majority.

The meeting concluded with plans to address additional amendments in future sessions, indicating ongoing efforts to refine the charter and enhance democratic processes within Whatcom County. The commission's decisions reflect a commitment to balancing public engagement with the need for structured governance.