HomeMy WebLinkAbout3635 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 3 6.3
A RESOLUTION of the City of Pasco, Washington, Declaring an Intent
to Adopt District-Based General Elections.
WHEREAS, the City of Pasco has long pursued a policy to provide equal voting
opportunity among its citizens, having adopted PMC 1.10.010 to provide districts that are nearly
equal in population and configured as not to favor or disfavor any racial group or political party,
and by PMC 1.10.090, to provide for the re-establishment of district boundaries to maintain this
equality,preventing a difference in population that exceeds 10%; and
WHEREAS, rapid population growth within of the City of Pasco and redistribution of
population have necessitated frequent redistricting efforts on the part of the City; and
WHEREAS, with this increased growth, the City's minority populations have likewise
increased,particularly its Hispanic citizens; and
WHEREAS, during the 2014/2015 redistricting cycle, the City conducted extensive
research and investigation, with the assistance of demographic expertise to pursue and achieve
not only equitable representation, but proportional representation within its five voting districts;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council has achieved that balance with the adoption of Ordinance
No. 4209 which provides for equal and proportionate representation through the primary election
of City Council candidates; and
WHEREAS, the City Council's final step for achieving both equal and proportional
representation was the amendment of PMC 1.10.070 to provide for district-based general
elections for City Council candidates; and
WHEREAS, the City has, during the 2015 legislative session, supported the Washington
Voting Rights Bill(Senate Bill 5668) which, by its terms, would authorize the City to change its
electoral system by implementing a district-based election system to achieve proportional
representation; and
WHEREAS,that legislation failed to secure approval by the 2015 legislature; and
WHEREAS, the City has sought assurances from the Franklin County Auditor that if the
City adopted a district-based election system without passage of the Washington Voting Rights
Bill, it would be able to adopt a district-based election system for the 2015 municipal election;
and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Auditor has determined that such action would be in
violation of RCW 35A.12.180 and, therefore, would not be able to accommodate district-based
voting; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the provisions of RCW 35A.12.180 as
applied to the circumstances of the City of Pasco results in potential vote dilution for some of its
citizens. NOW,THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON, DO
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Declaration of Intent. The City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington,
declares its intent to pursue a district-based election system for City Councilmembers when such
authority may be available at law.
Section 2. Requested Legislation. The City Council of the City of Pasco,
Washington, requests consideration by the Washington State legislature for amendment of RCW
35A.12.180 to provide cities the authority, and option, to adopt district-based election systems
for the election of City Councilmembers at general municipal elections, or to consider and adopt
a comprehensive voting rights bill that would permit local political subdivisions to change their
electoral systems, including implementation of district-based election systems, during the 2016
legislative session.
Section 3. Continuing Efforts. The City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington,
declares its continuing intent to provide equal voting opportunities for all of its citizens and to
provide equitable and proportionate representation of all of its citizens by the Pasco City
Council.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington, as its regular meeting
dated this '-f day of ma , 2015.
#4:Voti
Matt Watkins Mayor
A .,T : APPRO e AS TO FORM:
I
r e•ra ark, City lerk -- Leland B. Kerr, City Attorney