Snohomish County Proposition No. 3

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Statement For · Todd Welch, Mark James, and Shawn O’Donnell

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Committee: Todd Welch, Mark James, and Shawn O’Donnell

County government should serve all residents equally, focus on local community issues, and avoid the polarization that produces partisan gridlock to the federal level. County government exists to deliver essential local services - roads, parks, land use, and more. These are not partisan functions. Proposition 3 simply extends the nonpartisan approach already used successfully by the Snohomish County Treasurer, Auditor, Assessor, Sheriff, and Clerk, as well as by every Mayor and City Councilmember in Snohomish County. Partisan labels discourage well-qualified community leaders who are not closely aligned with a particular party from running for office and serving their community. Converting the remaining offices to non-partisan will encourage a broader pool of qualified candidates to run and serve their communities, thereby increasing choices for voters. Voters will continue to receive candidate statements, news coverage, forums, and campaign materials. Parties remain free to recruit, endorse, and support candidates publicly. Removing party labels encourages evaluation based on qualifications, experience, and ideas rather than national partisanship. Many counties, as well as every city in our state, have operated successfully with nonpartisan elected offices. Consistency across all positions strengthens focus on residents’ priorities and reduces the influence of national polarization on local races. County leaders who decide which potholes to fill and which parks to site should be chosen for their ability to serve Snohomish County well - not for a partisan label. Vote Yes on Proposition 3.

Rebuttal of argument against

Just like nonpartisan city governments, counties are responsible for fixing roads, setting budgets, and running public safety. None of these local responsibilities are partisan. Nonpartisan elections enhance transparency by putting power in the hands of voters rather than political party leaders. Voters can evaluate candidates based on their qualifications, experience, and local priorities. This nonpartisan process works effectively for many counties and every city in our state. Please vote Yes on Proposition 3.

Statement Against · Anna Maria Jackson Laurence, Janice R. Greene, and James Kenny

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Committee: Anna Maria Jackson Laurence, Janice R. Greene, and James Kenny

Vote No on Proposition 3. This proposition is anti-transparency. In Initiative 872 in 2004, the People of Washington chose to allow disclosure of a candidate’s political party for all county elected offices, and we should keep that choice. Our county councilmembers and executive make decisions affecting everyone in Snohomish County. Currently, candidates may disclose their political party preference on ballots. Party affiliation provides transparency about a candidate’s general outlook on government. Candidates who have no party affiliation or do not want to state one are free not to do so. Removing party affiliation does not eliminate influence, it hides it. Name recognition, incumbency, and campaign spending fill the vacuum, rewarding the already well-known and well-funded over candidates running on ideas. Some voters do not read the voters’ pamphlet before voting, and rely on party affiliation, which is their right. Government should not decide for you which information is worth having. People making choices about our government deserve to know who and what they are choosing. Our democracy includes Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, Greens, and other citizen preferences. The candidate’s choice whether to disclose party affiliation helps voters be informed. Those who value political parties and those who reject their influence both benefit from knowing whether their candidates identify with one. That information reduces confusion and apathy, and so promotes voter turnout. For better candidate information and transparency, keep partisan political affiliation on our ballots. Please vote no on Proposition 3.

Rebuttal of argument for

Vote No on Proposition 3. Removing party labels hides information from voters. Voters need more information, not less. Party preference is a vital signal about a candidate’s general philosophy of government. Trust informed voters to choose candidates wisely. Snohomish County elected offices have disclosed political affiliation since 1892. That history promotes transparency for future elections, and we should keep it. Safeguard transparency and your right to be informed. Vote no on Proposition 3.