King County Ballot Measures: 2020 General Election

KING COUNTY, WA — All King County voters will see several ballot measures when they begin to hit mailboxes next week. This year, there are seven charter amendments and one county-wide proposition. In some cities, voters may see additional measures put up for a vote by their local governments.

Seven of the eight measures are charter amendments, part of the Charter for Justice campaign, and endorsed by a majority of the King County Metropolitan Council.

Here's an overview of the county-wide measures in 2020:

Proposition 1: Harborview Medical Center Health and Safety Improvement Bonds

The only county-wide proposition requires 60 percent approval to pass. Approving it would authorize $1.74 billion in bonds and a property tax increase estimated to add $75 to the median homeowner's annual bill.

The Stranger reports that money would help pay for a new 10-story tower, adding 360 single-bed rooms to the hospital, and create a new behavioral health center. According to the Seattle Times, the region's only Level 1 trauma center currently has 413 beds, but just 40 that are in single-occupancy rooms.

Charter Amendment No. 1: Inquests

This amendment would update and clarify existing language to broaden when an inquest is required after deaths at the hands of law enforcement and require the county to provide an attorney to represent the family during inquest proceedings. Under the new rules, inquests would be required when a person dies in custody at a King County detention facility and when "an action, decision, or possible failure to offer appropriate care by a member of a law enforcement agency might have contributed to a person’s death."

Charter Amendment No. 2: Disposition of Real Property for Affordable Housing:

The second charter amendment would allow the county to sell off surplus, government-owned property at low cost for affordable housing projects. Recently changed state law allows this already, but the county's existing charter language still requires the higher sale prices.

Charter Amendment No. 3: References to Citizens

This amendment seeks to change the charter to refer to people residing in King Couty as the "public," a "member of the public," or a "resident," rather than a "citizen," in order to be more inclusive and ensure all rights in the charter to everyone, regardless of their citizenship status.

Charter Amendment No. 4: Office of Law Enforcement Oversight - Subpoena Authority

This amendment would grant the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight legal authority to subpoena witnesses, documents and other evidence during its investigations. Right now, the OLEO, a civilian-led office within the legislative branch, can request such information but is not able to legally compel it.

The amendment's proponents say granting subpoena power will strengthen police accountability and transparency in King County and bring the OLEO up to the level of many other civilian oversight offices across the nation.

Charter Amendment No. 5: Making the King County Sheriff an Appointed Position

The fifth proposed amendment has garnered the most public attention and is one of just two amendments to have a statement of opposition listed on the ballot.

If approved, the King County Sheriff would revert to an appointed position, as it was between 1969 and 1996, at the end of the current sheriff's term. The next sheriff would then be appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the county council.

In the statement in favor of the amendment, proponents argue having the sheriff as an elected office makes enacting reform "nearly impossible."

Statement in favor (written by Kinnon Williams, Anja Helmon and Nigel Herbig):

George Floyd’s death made obvious the need for police reform. However, reform is nearly impossible when our Sheriff is controlled by politics and electoral maneuvering dominated by special interest groups. Is it any wonder the current Sheriff opposes formal investigations of deaths of citizens held in custody, or subpoena power granted to civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office? This is why the Charter Review Commission - a volunteer panel of civic leaders from a broad spectrum of viewpoints - overwhelmingly recommends returning to an appointed Sheriff.

An appointed Sheriff would meet professional qualifications, hired and approved by the County Council. Bellevue, Renton and Kent hire from a nationwide pool of candidates based on professional qualifications, not merely on residency or the willingness to run. An elected sheriff limits the candidate pool to current deputies willing to mount a political campaign supported by the Sheriff’s Guild.

History shows that an appointment process leads to better sheriffs. Our first two “elected” Sheriffs were originally appointed by the County Council. They later ran unopposed as incumbents. Since then, the Department has been roiled in controversy and politics. This is our chance for reform. We deserve a professional, transparent, accountable Sheriff’s Department – Vote Yes.

The amendment is opposed by current King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, who co-wrote the opposition statement along with King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn and former sheriff and congressman Dave Reichert.

Protect your right to vote for our non-partisan, independent, Sheriff. Vote No on Charter Amendment 5. This is a dangerous companion to Amendment 6. Together they would effectively allow a “partisan” Council to assume complete control over the Sheriff’s Office to defund or dismantle it.

In 1996, King County residents wisely voted to make the Sheriff an elected and independent office. Charter Amendment 5 would take away that right and give politicians the power to choose the Sheriff. An elected, nonpartisan, Sheriff protects our system of checks and balances by acting as a counterweight to the County Executive and Council. Currently the Executive and Council have important and powerful budget oversight. If the Executive and Council are given the authority to appoint the Sheriff as well, they would be controlled by politicians with no background or expertise in law enforcement.

Currently, if an elected nonpartisan Sheriff fails to serve the community’s interests, voters can remove that Sheriff from office through the democratic process of voting. There is no greater accountability than for the Sheriff to be elected by the people they serve.

An appointed Sheriff would answer to politicians, not the people. Vote No on Charter Amendment 5.

As Crosscut's David Kroman reported, some of the strongest opposition to the measure is from the sheriff's guild, which donated $150,000 to oppose amendments five and six.

Charter Amendment No. 6: Structure and Duties of the Department of Public Safety

The sixth amendment would give the county council power to specify the duties of the sheriff's office, and restore its ability to combine the department of public safety with other departments or limit its duties. It would also grant all bargaining responsibilities to the county executive.

Statement in favor (written by Sean Goode):

Charter Amendment 6 would result in improved safety, quality of service and emergency response times by prioritizing the needs of King County residences. When the King County Sheriff’s office isn’t inundated with requests to respond to things that could be managed by a mental health professional, limited-commissioned personnel or a civilian they will have an increased capacity to respond to emergencies that require a trained law enforcement officer.

Someone who is in a mental health crisis needs a mental health response; neighborhood disputes such as noise complaints shouldn’t keep law enforcement from being present at real emergencies.

Currently, the ability to resource these alternatives and in doing so allow for improved police response lives within the Sheriff’s discretion and not the citizens of King County. Charter Amendment 6 would put the power in the hands of the people by way of the non-partisan, elected county council members that we have chosen to represent our needs.

Ask yourself, do we need police to do the work of social service agencies and mental health practitioners? Or do we need police to be present when there is an emergency in our community? For real public safety vote Yes on Charter Amendment 6.

Statement in opposition (written by Dave Reichert, Kathy Lambert and Rob McKenna):

Charter Amendment 6 would permit a drastic reduction of safety for much of King County and could hinder the level of service and reduce emergency response times.

Amendment 6 gives a few politicians power to fundamentally change the mission of our non-partisan Sheriff and allows a “partisan” County Council to defund or dismantle the office. This change was sponsored with Amendment 5 that takes away your right to vote for Sheriff.

The King County Sheriff’s Office serves cities, rural and unincorporated areas, and protects public transit. They lead the region’s response on human trafficking, help homeless citizens get much-needed assistance, find and rescue missing persons, respond to 911, and serve protection orders in domestic violence cases. Our Sheriff and deputies often help people on the worst day of their lives. They need increased support and funding, not less.

This effort to defund or dismantle the King County Sheriff’s Office is an overreaction to real concerns people have about the role of law enforcement in our community. Ask yourself: would my family and neighborhood be safer if we give this power to politicians with an unknown agenda that could make us less safe? Please vote No on Charter Amendment 6.

Charter Amendment No. 7: Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Family Caregiver, Military or Veteran Status:

The final amendment would expand the list of statuses protected from discrimination in county employment or contracting to include family caregivers, members of the military and veterans who were honorably discharged or "discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression."

Proponents of the amendment say it will help better protect working families and veterans from discrimination.

City-level ballot measures:

• City of Kirkland - Proposition No. 1
  • This measure would increase property taxes by less than $15 per month for a median-priced home. The funds would allow for hiring additional firefighters and EMTs, building a new fire station, seismic renovations for existing fire stations and pay for personal protective equipment stockpiles.
  • Read more: Kirkland Fire Chief Outlines November Ballot Measure
• City of Newcastle - Referendum No. 2
  • This measure would create a 3 percent tax on utility companies, raising an estimated $880,000 in annual revenue, beginning Jan. 1, 2021. The city estimates the average househole would pay about $10 a month for the tax. Officials said the funds would help offset anticipated cost increases for police and fire contracts.
• City of Seattle - Proposition No. 1
  • Seattle's ballot measure would replace an expiring 0.1 percent sales tax with a 0.15 percent sales tax to fund transit operations into 2027. According to the city, revenue would be used for transit maintenance, capital improvements, low-income fare programs and transportation needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the prolonged West Seattle Bridge closure.

Ballots mailed in King County on Oct. 14

King County Elections mailed ballots to all registered voters on Oct. 14, and all residents should have received them no later than Oct. 19. Residents who need to register to vote can still do so online and by mail until Oct. 26. In-person registration is available up until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Check your voter registration status here.