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Whatcom County panel deadlocks on removing two at‑large council seats; public divided
Summary
The Charter Review Commission’s committee of the whole debated a proposed amendment to eliminate two at‑large county council seats and reduce the council from seven to five members. Public comment and commissioners were split; the committee’s recommendation to the full commission tied 7–7 and did not carry.
The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission’s committee of the whole debated whether to eliminate the county’s two at‑large council seats and reduce the county council from seven members to five, but the group split 7–7 on a recommendation to send that change to the voters.
The amendment’s author presented the history behind the proposal and public commenters urged both support and opposition. Proponents said eliminating the at‑large seats would save money and produce fairer geographic representation outside Bellingham; opponents said at‑large seats help countywide cohesion and protect minority voters’ interests.
The proposal matters because it would change how county residents select their council members and could shift which voters determine council majorities. Supporters framed the change as a return to “one representative per district” and a cost‑saving measure; opponents said it risks leaving significant portions of the county without…
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