What is a charter?
The Washington State Constitution (ratified October 1, 1889) describes the county home rule charter in Article XI, Section 5. Home rule means a county has established a charter — a kind of a constitution — that describes how the county is to be governed and organized, such as its powers, the county council, the county executive, and how officials are elected.
Snohomish County voters chose to adopt a home rule charter in 1980. There are seven home rule counties in the state: Clallam, Clark, King, Pierce, San Juan, Snohomish and Whatcom. The remainder are “the commission form, [where] the county governing body usually consists of a three-member board of commissioners, elected on a partisan basis, who serve as the county's legislative body and also perform executive functions.” (WA State Constitution, Article XI, Section 5)
Why is there a Charter Review Commission?
The charter requires that it be reviewed by a commission of 15 elected citizens once every 10 years. Any changes the Commission proposes must be approved by the voters if they are to take effect.
A new Charter Review Commission was convened in January 2026, with three members representing each of the five districts in Snohomish County. Any amendments submitted successfully will appear on the November 2026 general election ballot.
The last time a Charter Review Commission was elected, the majority offered seven propositions to voters, so many changes are possible. They can affect whether officials are elected or appointed, whether elections are county-wide or by district, whether offices are added or subtracted, and much more. Are there ways to improve county government?
What will be on the November 2026 Ballot?
Your ballot this fall will list each of the amendments to the Snohomish County Charter that have been proposed by the current Charter Review Commission. To be enacted, voters must approve each amendment by a simple majority.
Link to the 2026 Snohomish County Charter Review Commission webpage.
Read about county forms of government in Washington State.
Read the Snohomish County Charter.
Find your County Council district