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Charter commission reviews ballot-title process, deadlines for pro/con committees
Summary
County counsel and staff explained how ballot titles and explanatory statements are prepared, the state deadlines the county must meet, and the schedule and application process for pro- and con-committees that will write statements for the voters' pamphlet.
County counsel and staff told the Whatcom County Charter Commission that the prosecutor's office prepares the official ballot titles and explanatory statements and that the county must meet state and auditor deadlines to get measures on the November ballot.
The prosecutor's office representative walked commissioners through the three parts that appear on the ballot: a short title (no more than 10 words), a concise statement of effect (no more than 75 words), and the question wording. The representative also described the voters' pamphlet materials that accompany a ballot measure: an explanatory statement, pro and con statements (and rebuttals), and the full text of the proposed change for readers who want detail.
Commission staff summarized the calendar and the role of county offices and the auditor. Staff said the county set the schedule to meet the auditor's deadlines for transmitting ballot titles and that the council must submit received amendments to the auditor by the council's July meeting so the auditor can meet its statutory publication deadlines. Staff gave these operational deadlines to the commission: applications to serve on for/against committees are due July 14; councils will submit received amendments to the auditor on or before July 22; and committees must report a chair and contact information to county staff by July 28.
Staff also explained how the for/against committee process will work. The county will publish a public notice and accept applications; the county council will appoint up to three members to each committee (committees may include alternates), and the auditor then communicates the final chair and submission rules for pro/con statements. Staff said the auditor's office enforces word limits and formatting rules for the statements and will provide an online form commissioners and members of the public will use to submit pro and con statements.
Commissioners asked how notices will be distributed; staff said the county will use a press release, the county website, social media, physical bulletin boards and direct distribution to commissioners. Staff said paper application forms will remain available at the council office for residents without internet access.
The county counsel asked commissioners to review draft ballot titles in the meeting packet and provide suggested edits; counsel said the prosecutor's office will finalize the official titles submitted to the auditor. Staff said they would circulate final explanatory-statement drafts to commissioners when available.
