Pierce County Council calls election for 21-member charter review commission

The Pierce County Council on Feb. 18 voted 7-0 to call an election for a 21-member Charter Review Commission to be elected during the 2025 primary and general elections.

The resolution directs that three commissioners be elected from each of the county’s seven council districts and that commissioners must have been Pierce County residents for at least five years and be registered voters. "The resolution before you calls for the election of a 21-member Charter Review Commission during the 2025 primary and general elections, pursuant to Article 8 of the Pierce County Charter," said Ms. Long, county staff, during a staff briefing.

The commission’s term is scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2026, and the commission must complete its work no later than June 30, 2026. Any proposed charter amendments filed by the commission would be submitted to the county auditor for placement on the November 2026 general election ballot; if approved by a majority of voters the amendments take effect 10 days after certification unless the amendment specifies a later date. The council’s role is limited to calling the election and providing funding; implementing ordinances required by voter-approved amendments must be enacted by the council within the charter’s time frame.

Council members asked procedural questions during the discussion: Councilmember Ayala requested clarification about the 120-day/180-day implementation timeline, and Ms. Long answered that the timeline runs from certification of the election unless an amendment specifies a later effective date. Councilmember Denson asked where candidates should look for filing information; Mr. Dominique, county elections staff, said a frequently asked questions sheet would be posted to the county website after passage and that the auditor’s office would also list candidate information.

The resolution was moved by Councilmember Krueger, seconded (second not specified in the record), and approved by roll call: Councilmembers Denson, Herrera, Morrell, Yambe, Ayala, Krueger and Hitchens voted aye (7–0). Council staff noted the county’s share of election costs was already included in this year’s budget and described the fiscal impact as de minimis.

Next steps: the clerk will transmit the resolution and the auditor’s office will post candidate and filing information for the 2025 election cycle. The commission, if elected, may propose charter amendments or other recommendations and file any amendments with the auditor for a November 2026 vote.