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Whatcom Charter Commission narrowly rejects plan to eliminate two at-large council seats
Summary
The commission debated removing two at-large seats from the county council and shifting to district-only representation, then voted 8-7 to reject the amendment after extensive public comment and commissioner debate about representation and proportional voting systems.
The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission debated and then rejected a proposal to eliminate two at-large county council seats and move to district-only representation, voting 8-7 on the measure on June 11.
Supporters, led by Commissioner Joe Ellenbos, argued the at-large positions give disproportionate influence to Bellingham residents and cited policy differences between urban and rural residents. “It’s about what unfair and inappropriate activity is taken by a commission where the majority of…
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