Summary
The Snohomish County Council is the legislative body of Snohomish County, Washington. The county council was created in 1979 and consists of five members serving four-year terms.
Snohomish County Council | |
|---|---|
| Snohomish County, Washington | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Chairperson | Megan Dunn (D) |
Vice Chair | Jared Mead (D) |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 5 |
 | |
Political groups | Democratic Party (3) Republican Party (2) |
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
Last election | November 7, 2023 |
| Meeting place | |
| Henry M. Jackson Boardroom Robert J. Drewel Building Everett, Washington | |
| Website | |
| Snohomish County Council | |
Members edit
| District | Councilmember[1] | Party | Took office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nate Nehring | Republican | January 23, 2017[a] | |
| 2 | Megan Dunn (Council Chair) | Democratic | January 1, 2020 | |
| 3 | Strom Peterson[b] | Democratic | September 29, 2022[c] | |
| 4 | Jared Mead (Council Vice Chair) | Democratic | April 8, 2020[5] | |
| 5 | Sam Low[b] | Republican | November 29, 2016[6] | |
- Notes
History edit
The county council was created on November 6, 1979, by Snohomish County voters as part of a home rule charter, which replaced the traditional three-member county commission with a five-member council and county executive.[7][8] The first two new councilmembers was elected on March 11, 1980, joining the three existing commissioners who would continue to serve until 1983, when all seats were up for re-election.[9][10]
In 2016, the county's Charter Review Commission explored expanding the council to seven members after the next redistricting.[11] The expansion, along with requirements to hold some meetings outside of Everett and include evening meetings for public hearings, were rejected by the commission.[12] The meetings proposal was placed on the November 2016, where it was approved by voters and came into effect the following year, requiring the county council to host at least one evening meeting in each district per year.[13]
Structure edit
The council consists of five members representing five geographic districts of equal population. Each member serves a four-year term during a regular election held during November on odd-numbered years. No member can serve more than three total terms.[14][15]
Candidates for a council seat must be 21 years old at the time of the election, have lived in Snohomish County for 3 years prior to filing, and be a registered voter in their district.[16]
Districts edit
- District 1: Arlington, Darrington, Granite Falls, Marysville, Stanwood
- District 2: Everett, Mukilteo, Tulalip Indian Reservation
- District 3: Edmonds, Lynnwood (partial), Woodway
- District 4: Bothell (partial), Brier, Lynnwood (partial), Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace
- District 5: Index, Lake Stevens, Monroe, Snohomish, Sultan
Districts are redrawn every ten years by an independent Districting Committee using United States Census data.[17]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "County Council". Snohomish County. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ^ Haglund, Noah (January 24, 2017). "At 21, Nate Nehring is youngest to serve on County Council". The Everett Herald. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ Cornfield, Jerry (September 6, 2022). "Double duty: Low, Peterson aim for rare political feat, catch criticism". The Everett Herald. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ Dunn, Kayla J. (September 29, 2022). "State Rep. Peterson appointed to Snohomish County Council". The Everett Herald. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ Riley, Rachel (April 8, 2020). "County Council appoints Jared Mead to fill vacated seat". The Everett Herald. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
- ^ Haglund, Noah (November 15, 2016). "Dunshee concedes Snohomish County Council race to Low". The Everett Herald. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ Suffia, David (November 7, 1979). "Voters approve home-rule charter". The Seattle Times. p. H1.
- ^ Suffia, David (November 14, 1979). "Candidates surface for county posts". The Seattle Times. p. H1.
- ^ Suffia, David (January 9, 1980). "Demos may have edge in county races". The Seattle Times. p. H1.
- ^ Suffia, David (March 12, 1980). "Tucker county executive; Council seat undecided". The Seattle Times. p. H1.
- ^ Haglund, Noah (June 12, 2016). "Charter reviewers consider a bigger County Council". The Everett Herald. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ Haglund, Noah (July 6, 2016). "Idea for larger Snohomish County Council is scrapped". The Everett Herald. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "County Council plans night meeting in Mountlake Terrace". The Everett Herald. April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- ^ "County Council". Snohomish County. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ "2015 Election Information Guide". Snohomish County Auditor. June 16, 2015. p. 15. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ "How to Run for Office: Candidate Guide, 2021". Snohomish County Elections. March 2021. p. 4. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ "Committee to redraw council district boundaries". The Snohomish Times. April 15, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2016.