Drafter
Clerk 06/26/2008
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to the appointment process for the King County citizens' elections oversight committee; and amending Ordinance 15453, Section 3, and K.C.C. 2.53.021.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. On January 7, 2008, the King County Council passed Motion 12671 that, among other actions, changed the titles and responsibilities of the two vice chairs of the county council.
2. K.C.C. 2.53.021 requires that appointments to the citizens' elections oversight committee be made jointly by the chair of the council and the vice chair of council affairs.
3. The position of vice chair of council affairs no longer exists as a vice chair title for the council creating a need to change K.C.C. 2.53.021 in order to make appointments and reappointments to the citizens' elections oversight committee.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinance 15453, Section 3, and K.C.C. 2.53.021are each hereby amended to read as follows:
A. The chair of the council and the ((vice chair of council affairs)) chair of the employment and administration committee shall solicit nominations for membership from all council members. The chair of the council and the ((vice chair of council affairs)) chair of the employment and administration committee shall jointly appoint oversight committee members who are confirmed by motion to the committee.
B. Committee membership shall include:
1. One representative from a nonpartisan organization active in King County that evaluates candidates and ballot measures, such as the Municipal League;
2. One representative from a nonpartisan organization active in King County that provides elections information to the public, such as the League of Women Voters;
3. One representative of an independent research and policy institute; ((and))
4. One representative from a junior taxing district;
5. One representative of the Chinese-speaking community;
6. Two King County registered voters who are not representatives of any of the groups listed in subsection B.1. through 5. and 7. through 12. of this section;
7. One representative from the King County Democratic Party;
8. One representative from the King County Republican Party;
9. One representative from the Washington state Democratic Party;
10. One representative from the Washington state Republican Party;
11. One ex officio, nonvoting representative from the Office of the Secretary of State; and
12. One ex officio, nonvoting representative from the Washington State Association of County Auditors;
. C. All members should have:
1. A working knowledge of local or state government elections operations and management;
2. A strong commitment to an accountable, transparent, well-managed and efficient elections operation in King County; and
3. A willingness to commit the time necessary to attend committee meetings and activities.
D. Except for the member representing the Washington State Association of Auditors, a nominee or appointee to the committee shall not hold elective public office or be a candidate for election to public office, other than as a precinct committee officer.
E. Except for the ex officio members, members shall serve three-year terms. However, the representatives representing the groups under subsection B.6, 9. and 10. of this section appointed in 2006 initially shall serve one-year terms and the representative representing the group under subsection B.1, 2, 7. and 8. of this section appointed in 2006
initially shall serve a two-year term. Ex officio members serve at the pleasure of their office or association.
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