Spokane, Washington, Measure 2, City Council Redistricting Process Amendment (February 2024)

Spokane Measure 2
Election date February 13, 2024
Topic City governance
Status Approved
Type Referral

Spokane Measure 2 was on the ballot as a referral in Spokane on February 13, 2024. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported changing the redistricting process for the Spokane City Council, including: increasing the number of redistricting commission members from three to seven; prohibiting city councilmembers from modifying the redistricting commission's recommended map; allowing for the reconvening of the redistricting commission during the fifth year of the decennial districting cycle when councilmembers or a citizen-initiated petition call for redistricting to occur.

A "no" vote opposed changing the redistricting process for the Spokane City Council.

A simple majority was required for the approval of Measure 2.

Election results

Spokane Measure 2
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		33,151	68.38%
No		15,330	31.62%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Measure 2 was as follows:

“

Amendment to the City Charter Regarding City Council Redistricting Process “Shall the Spokane City Charter be amended to implement a new City Council redistricting process requiring stricter qualifications for appointed volunteer redistricting commissioners while increasing their number and requiring equal appointments by City Council and Mayor, in addition to mandating an increase in the number of public hearings, prohibiting any modifications to redistricting maps by the City Council, and introducing an option for citizen-led redistricting as set forth in Ordinance No. C-36389?”

”

Ballot summary

The ballot summary for this measure was:

“

The City Charter currently contains Section 59, relating to Council districting and the districting board, and Section 60, relating to the decennial districting process. Both sections were approved by the voters in 1999. This ballot measure will update the Council decennial redistricting process with a new Section 62 to the Charter and repeal sections 59 and 60. Section 62 will create a seven-member Council Redistricting Commission consisting of city residents, establish qualifications and prohibitions, and establish a decennial redistricting process. The redistricting procedures include the Commission holding public hearings to consider citizen-submitted redistricting plans and selecting preliminary plans for public review before selecting one plan to forward to the Council for adoption. In the event the Commission cannot agree on a plan the Municipal Court shall select a plan to refer to the City Council. The Council, after public hearings, shall either adopt the submitted plan or remand the plan back to the Commission to consider changes. An adopted plan may be challenged in Superior Court by any City registered voter pursuant to state law.

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in Washington

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the Spokane City Council.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Washington

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Washington.

How to vote in Washington

Poll times

Washington is an all-mail voting state. Individuals who prefer to vote in person rather than by mail may do so at local voting centers, which are open for 18 days prior to the election. The voting period ends at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Contact your county elections department for more information on voting center locations and times.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Washington, one must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the state, and at least 18 years of age.

One may register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at a county elections department. Registration must be completed eight days in advance if done by mail or online. In-person registration is available through Election Day.

In 2018, Washington lawmakers enacted legislation providing for same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration.

Automatic registration

Washington automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, health benefit exchange, and other state agencies approved by the governor.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Washington has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Washington allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

Washington law requires 30 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Washington does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who knowingly provides false information or knowingly make a false declaration about their qualifications "will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both."

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The site Vote WA, run by the Washington Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Washington is an all-mail voting state and does not require voters to present photo identification (ID). Voters may choose to vote in person at a local voting center. According to state law RCW 29A.40.160, “The county auditor shall require any person desiring to vote at a voting center to either sign a ballot declaration or provide identification.” Accepted forms of ID include driver's licenses, state ID cards, and student ID cards. For a list of all accepted forms of ID, see below.

The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Washington State Legislature's voter ID regulations to ensure you have the most current information.

• Driver's license
• State identification card
• Student identification card
• Tribal identification card
• Employer identification card

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2024
• City governance on the ballot

• Spokane County measures

Washington

• Washington 2024 local measures
• Local ballot measures, Washington
• Spokane, Washington

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic