Benton's bill to elect county commissioners by district wins committee approval

February 23, 2007

OLYMPIA…A bill allowing voters to elect county commissioners by district, sponsored by Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, was approved by the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee on Feb. 22.  

The measure, Senate Bill 5701, is now in the Senate Rules Committee, the last stop before a full Senate vote.

Benton’s bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, who served on the Clark County Board of Commissioners prior to being elected to the state Senate.

Present law allows for commissioners to be nominated by district in primary elections, but commissioners are voted on countywide in the general election.

Benton’s bill would allow for a ballot proposition to elect commissioners by district to be submitted to voters either by the board of county commissioners or by a petition signed by at least 10 percent of registered voters who voted in the last county general election.

“I think voters should have a choice,” Benton said. “There are unique differences and interests between the county districts that nominate candidates. If we nominate by district, why not elect by district?”

Counties existed during Washington's territorial days in the mid- to late-1800s and were recognized in the state constitution adopted in 1889.

Historically, the role of counties has been to serve as an administrative arm of the state, with maintaining records, providing courts and law enforcement, building roads, and conducting elections among their duties.  In counties where home rule has not been adopted, the commission functions as both the legislative and executive body.

Of Washington’s 39 counties, 33 have a commissioner form of government.

“This bill doesn’t change the responsibility of broad governance, it just allows county commissioners to be closer to the people they serve,” Benton said.

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Additional contact Penny Drost at (360) 7860-7522 or drost.penny@leg.wa.gov