2025 Charter Review Commission

What is the Charter?

Most county governments are organized according to Washington state statute, like Skagit County with its three county commissioners who make local regulations and execute them.   But state law also allows counties in Washington to switch to home rule by electing a group of 15-25 citizens to draft a charter.  That’s a kind of constitution  describes how the county is to be governed.  The citizens’ proposal must then be approved by county voters.  Whatcom County voters chose to adopt a home rule Charter in 1978.  The Charter describes how the county is organized, its powers, the council, the county executive, and how officials are elected. 

Why is there a Charter Review Commission? 

The Charter also requires that it be reviewed by a commission of 15 elected citizens at least once every 10 years.  Any changes the commission proposes must be approved by the voters if they are to take effect. 

This year once again a new Charter Review Commission will be convened, with three members representing each of the five districts in Whatcom County. 

The last time a Charter Review Commission was elected, the majority offered eight propositions to voters, so many changes are possible.  They can affect whether officials are elected or appointed, whether elections are county-wide or by district, whether offices are added or subtracted, and much more.  Are there ways to improve County government?  Could the Commission consider ranked choice voting, for example? 

Read about County Forms of Government in Washington State.

Read the Whatcom County Charter.