AI Ballot Check Washington · General election, November 3, 2026

Clark County Proposed Charter Amendment No. 23

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Statement For · Eric LaBrant

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Committee: Patrick Adigweme, Chair

Amendment 23 makes two key updates to the Charter. It creates a clear requirement to produce an annual report of what’s happening in our County government, and it requires the report to be published broadly. These requirements strengthen a foundation of government transparency and accountability in Clark County and ensure that information is easy to find. Producing and publishing the report once per year requires a minimum level of oversight to our community without overburdening County employees. Putting this in the Charter ensures that this reporting doesn’t depend upon who’s in office or on staff and that the public will always be made aware of this information. We ask for your vote for this common-sense update seeking improved transparency and accountability in local government.

Rebuttal of argument against

That positive results might favor an incumbent or poor results could favor a newcomer doesn’t mean information should be withheld from voters. Delaying or withholding information can influence elections as well. Transparency is always in the public interest. This change would not negate any state law or other applicable restrictions.

Statement Against · Margaret Tweet, Chair

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Committee: Margaret Tweet, Chair

Against Charter Amendment #23. The primary change that Charter Amendment #23 makes to the County charter is that: “The county manager must: Present to the council in a public meeting and publish broadly an annual statement of the county’s fiscal and governmental affairs, and any other report which they may deem necessary.” The committee concerns are that the broad publishing mandate is not restricted in relation to County elections. In years that County elected incumbents are running for re-election, or the county has put ballot measures out to voters, this proposed “publish broadly” mandate could be used to mail out information prior to the election that favors county incumbents or county ballot measures. Our committee has noticed that some tax districts do mail out glowing multi-page colored print annual reports around 2 months or less prior to elections at which tax hikes are requested. Committees against these tax hikes have no taxpayer funded mailers ever. State law, RCW 42.52.185, Restrictions on Mailings by Legislators, does not allow legislators to send mailers at taxpayer expense during election season. Mandating broad publishing ignores any election restrictions that should apply, and cost constraints that might limit the manner in which this information is published. This amendment should be Rejected. The Charter Review Committee can fix it next year if they deem it necessary.

Rebuttal of argument for

Reject Charter Amendment#23. If approved, “The county manager must... publish broadly an annual statement of the county’s fiscal and governmental affairs, and any other report which they may deem necessary.” The annual statement of fiscal and governmental affairs, or other reports can be easily posted at the county website instead of expensive countywide mailers. Amendment#23 allows the unelected county manager to create and publish broadly any report they choose, even during election seasons.