Pierce County Charter Amendment 53

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Statement For · Pierce County for a Professional Sheriff

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Committee: Nathe Lawver, Jake Hunter, Lyle Quasim

A Sheriff for Today’s Needs The Pierce County Sheriff is entrusted with significant power. Hiring a sheriff through a transparent appointment process ensures that this power is used justly, legally, and fairly. Sheriffs must be held to high standards to serve all residents of Pierce County well. Hired, not Elected A sheriff needs more than just good campaigning. They need credentials, qualifications, and a proven track record in professional public safety. A hiring process would generate a broad pool of qualified candidates who would be screened and vetted. An Appointed Sheriff Means More Accountability An elected sheriff can remain in office even after committing serious misconduct, allowing ongoing harm to the public or employees until the next election. An appointed sheriff could be placed on administrative leave or removed for serious misconduct, providing accountability when it matters most. The people of Pierce County deserve a Sheriff who is qualified and accountable every day, not just every four years. Vote approve on Charter Amendment 53.

Rebuttal of argument against

Appointing Pierce County’s sheriff was foundational to our first charter in 1981 and changed to the current system in 2006. The then-appointed Sheriff went on to be re-elected twice. Election provides few to no options on a ballot. An appointment process draws dozens of qualified, professional applicants. Appointed sheriffs are accountable to voters through election of the officials who hire them – allowing greater accountability than an election every 4 years.

Statement Against · Pierce County Citizens for Accountable Public Safety

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Committee: Brian Sonntag, Bruce Dammeier, Paul Pastor

Keep Your Right to Elect Sheriff Charter Amendment 53 takes away your right to elect the Pierce County Sheriff. It also ends the current elected Sheriff’s term early, effective January 1, 2027, replacing your elected Sheriff with one appointed by the County Executive. This amendment cuts short the term voters elected the current Sheriff to serve. Keep the Sheriff Independent Like every other elected county official, an elected Sheriff answers directly to the people. An appointed Sheriff answers first to the elected official who appoints them. The Sheriff should remain independent so law enforcement decisions are based on the law, public safety, and the needs of our community–not political pressure or changing priorities within county government. Protect Public Safety Across Washington, county Sheriffs are elected and directly accountable to the people. Pierce County should keep that tradition and keep its Sheriff accountable to the voters. Vote No on Charter Amendment 53 Protect your right to vote. Preserve an independent Sheriff. Keep the Sheriff accountable to the people.

Rebuttal of argument for

The proponents wrongly suggest elected Sheriffs cannot be held accountable. Pierce County voters can replace a Sheriff at the ballot box, recall a Sheriff, and any Sheriff who breaks the law is subject to prosecution. Appointment does not guarantee better qualifications or accountability–it only transfers the power to choose the Sheriff from the voters to the County Executive. Keep the Sheriff accountable to the people. Vote No on Charter Amendment 53.