Spokane, Washington, Proposition 1, City Attorney Amendment (November 2022)

Spokane Proposition 1
Election date November 8, 2022
Topic County governance
Status Defeated
Type Referral

Spokane Proposition 1 was on the ballot as a referral in Spokane on November 8, 2022. It was defeated.

A "yes" supported this charter amendment to: • provide that the city council, with the mayor's approval, appoints the city attorney for a seven-year term; • provide that the city council, with the mayor's approval, can remove the city attorney from office; • provide that the city attorney can file litigation on behalf of the city with the council's and mayor's approval; and • provide that the city attorney has the power to subpoena witnesses on matters related to city affairs or business.

A "no" opposed this charter amendment to: • provide that the city council, with the mayor's approval, appoints the city attorney for a seven-year term; • provide that the city council, with the mayor's approval, can remove the city attorney from office; • provide that the city attorney can file litigation on behalf of the city with the council's and mayor's approval; and • provide that the city attorney has the power to subpoena witnesses on matters related to city affairs or business.

Election results

Spokane Proposition 1
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		36,049	48.84%
No		37,754	51.16%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposition 1 was as follows:

“

This proposition will amend sections 24, 28, 29, and 33 and repeal section 32 of the Spokane City Charter to amend the requirements and process for the appointment, duties, and powers of the City Attorney and other legal counsel, as set forth in Ordinance C36244. Shall this measure be enacted into 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 governing body of Spokane.

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.”

The following list of accepted ID was current as of October 2025. 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 2022
• County governance on the ballot

• Spokane County measures

Washington

• Washington 2022 local measures
• Local ballot measures, Washington
• Spokane, Washington

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

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