2006 Seattle Elections

General Elections Voters' Guide

Chrtr Am 13-Ballot Measure Notification - Ballot Title

Ballot Title

The city council has proposed an amendment to Article XVIII Section 3 of the city charter concerning advance notice requirements for certain ballot measures.

This amendment would change Article XVIII Section 3 to eliminate the provision that the city clerk must have advance notice of these ballot measures posted, and published in full in the City's official newspaper for 30 days before the date of the election. Instead, the clerk would have to have notice published in full in the City's official newspaper in accordance with state law.

Should this charter amendment be

Approved ………
Rejected ………

1. The proposal

This amendment would change advance notice requirements for certain ballot measures.

2. The charter as it currently exists

Article XVIII of the city charter concerns elections. Section 3 of Article XVIII specifies how a ballot measure is to be submitted to the voters in cases where the method of submitting that measure is not specifically provided by another part of the charter or by the general laws. Among other things, Section 3 requires the city clerk to prepare a notice containing the ballot measure in full; the clerk must have the notice posted, and published in the City's official newspaper in full for 30 days before the date of the election.

State law also contains provisions about required notice for elections. Among other things, those provisions state that the county auditor or other official conducting the election must publish notice of the election at least once in a newspaper of general circulation. The notice is to be published not less than three or more than 10 days before the election, and must include the ballot titles of all measures to be voted upon. As an alternative to this notice, a voters' pamphlet may be mailed to each residence.

3. The effect of this amendment if approved

Article XVIII Section 3 would be amended to eliminate the provision that, in cases where the method of submitting a measure isn't specifically provided elsewhere, the city clerk must have advance notice of a ballot measure posted, and published in full in the City's official newspaper for 30 days before the date of the election. Instead, the clerk would be required to have notice published in full in the City's official newspaper in accordance with state law.