McCaslin bill to create neighborhood voting districts passes Senate 

March 12, 2009

OLYMPIA… Today the state Senate passed Substitute Senate Bill 5716, which would allow cities to be divided into neighborhood voting districts upon approval of a majority of those voting on such a proposal. 

The measure, passed 45-4, also would prohibit a city from being divided or the boundaries of a district from being changed less than three months before a municipal general election.  

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Bob McCaslin, R-Spokane Valley. 

“It’s an oddity in some local government structures, like my own Spokane Valley, that it is possible to elect seven people from the same apartment complex to the city council,” said McCaslin. “This bill would help spread out the city's elected representatives and bring geographic diversity and more community involvement to our local governments.” 

Of the 281 cities and towns in Washington 186 are noncharter code cities. Of these only 12 have a voting district. SSB 5716 would allow a district’s boundaries to change only by a majority vote at an election. The election may be initiated, either by resolution of the council, or by a petition signed by 10 percent or more of the voters. 

“This is a common-sense, good-government measure that puts these representative decisions in the hands of the people; I am very pleased to see my Senate colleagues support this bill.”  

SB 5716 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.