Charter Amendment 8, the countywide effort to make King County elected officials nonpartisan, is showing strong support in the early returns from Tuesday’s election.
“I am optimistic about the returns and optimistic about the direction this will take county government,” said the measure’s sponsor, Joe Fain. Fain, who has worked for all three branches of county government as well as both Republican and Democratic members of the King County Council, crafted the initiative when legislation introduced at the King County Council failed to receive a hearing.
Nearly 64 percent of primary voters supported some form of nonpartisan reform during the August Primary, where Fain’s Initiative 26 edged out the council-proposed alternative 53-47 percent.
“Voters across our county, state, and nation are rejecting politics as usual. They want and deserve a responsive, accountable, and professional government that prioritizes service above politics. Today’s victory is a powerful step in that direction for King County residents.”
The King County Council has traditionally organized itself in segregated partisan caucuses that convene each week prior to the Council’s Monday meeting.
“I have faith that the current council will respect the voters and abolish the partisan caucus in favor of a more inclusive and productive structure,” said Fain. “All citizens in King County deserve an equal opportunity to be represented. A nonpartisan body where all councilmembers work, discuss, and compromise together will greatly improve this body and this government.”
“I believe that nonpartisan reform will open more doors for candidates to enter public service.” said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer (R-Federal Way), who introduced the original legislation. “The county provides the meat and potatoes of government services. There are no Republican or Democratic potholes, just a pothole that needs to be fixed.”
Initiative 26 and Charter Amendment 8 were supported by Honorary Campaign Co-Chairs Democratic Governor Booth Gardner and Republican Governor Dan Evans, as well as the Municipal League of King County and over four dozen nonpartisan elected city officials across the county.
