Chapter 1.15
VOTING DISTRICTS
Sections:
1.15.070 Election of council members.
1.15.100 Council members – Residential requirement.
1.15.110 Reestablishment of district boundaries.
1.15.010 Number of districts.
The city is divided into five voting districts. Each district shall be as nearly equal in population as possible, compact as possible, consist of geographically contiguous area, be configured as to not favor or disfavor any racial group or political party, and, to the extent feasible, coincide with the recognized natural boundaries so as to preserve existing neighborhoods of related and mutual interest. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.020 District one.
Voting district one shall be comprised of the area within the census blocks for District 1 described on Exhibit “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter and which conform with the GIS shape files, generally depicted on Exhibit “B” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.030 District two.
Voting district two shall be comprised of the area within the census blocks for District 2 described on Exhibit “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter and which conform with the GIS shape files, generally depicted on Exhibit “B” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.040 District three.
Voting district three shall be comprised of the area within the census blocks for District 3 described on Exhibit “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter and which conform with the GIS shape files, generally depicted on Exhibit “B” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.050 District four.
Voting district four shall be comprised of the area within the census blocks for District 4 described on Exhibit “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter and which conform with the GIS shape files, generally depicted on Exhibit “B” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.060 District five.
Voting district five shall be comprised of the area within the census blocks for District 5 described on Exhibit “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter and which conform with the GIS shape files, generally depicted on Exhibit “B” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.070 Election of council members.
The qualified electors of each voting district, and they only, shall nominate from among their number of candidates for the office of council member of such voting district to be voted for at the next general election. Such candidates shall be nominated in the same manner as other candidates at the primary election held on the date specified in RCW 29A.04.311. In addition, two council members, designated council members-at-large, shall be nominated from among all districts within the city. Each district council position shall be numbered one through five corresponding to its district number with the at-large council member positions being designated as position six and seven. The two candidates having the highest vote totals for each council position shall be certified as having been nominated and shall run for that position in the general election. District council members shall be elected by all of the qualified electors of their district and the council members-at-large shall be elected by all of the qualified electors of the city and the candidate receiving the highest number of votes for the office of council member for the position for which he or she is a candidate shall be declared duly elected. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.100 Council members – Residential requirement.
Council members elected from districts shall be residents of the districts from which they are elected in conformance with RCW 29A.24.075(3). Council members elected at-large shall be residents of the city in conformance with RCW 29A.24.075(3). If at any time during their term a council member shall no longer maintain their residence, as defined by RCW 29A.04.151, within the district from which they were elected, or within the city if at-large, then the office shall be considered vacant; provided, that no change in the boundaries of a district shall affect the term of any council member and the council member shall serve out his or her term in the district of their residence at the time of their election. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.110 Reestablishment of district boundaries.
In addition to decennial census adjustments required by RCW 29A.76.010, the council shall re-establish district boundaries whenever the population in any district exceeds by 10 percent or more the population in any other district; provided, that no change in the boundaries of any district shall be made within 90 days next before the date of a general municipal election, nor within 12 months after the districts were last established. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.120 Annexation.
When additional territory is added to the city through annexation, it may, by act of the city council, be annexed to contiguous districts of the city without affecting the right to redistrict the city at the expiration of 12 months after the last prior establishment of districts. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.130 Recall petitions.
Any registered voter of the district shall be eligible to sign a petition for the recall of a council member for that district in conformance with RCW 29A.56.180. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)
1.15.140 Filling vacancies.
If a vacancy in a council position occurs or if a council position is not filled by the election process, the remaining members of the city council shall appoint a person to fill such office as provided in RCW 35A.12.050. Persons appointed to fill a district position shall be a qualified elector of that district. (Ord. 2018-19 § 1)