In our roles as mayors serving communities throughout Snohomish County, we witness daily how local governance shapes the lives of everyday people.
When constituents approach us at supermarkets, community gatherings, or council sessions, discussions rarely center on national political divides. Instead, they inquire about road maintenance schedules, traffic congestion, public safety measures, housing availability, and park improvements. These matters transcend party affiliations, and the officials chosen to address them should as well.
For this reason, we endorse Snohomish County Charter Proposition No. 3, a measure designed to designate all elected positions within the county as nonpartisan.
Every mayor and council member in the region currently operates in a nonpartisan capacity. Our names appear on ballots without party designators. This does not imply a lack of personal convictions or agreement on every policy issue. Rather, it requires voters to evaluate candidates based on their expertise, policy priorities, and specific plans for their communities.
We hold the view that county-level administration should adhere to this same standard.
Snohomish County currently utilizes a nonpartisan election process for the offices of Sheriff, Auditor, Assessor, Treasurer, and Clerk. Proposition No. 3 seeks to apply this method to other key positions, specifically the County Executive, County Council, and Prosecuting Attorney.
A significant portion of the population does not align with a specific political party and expresses fatigue regarding partisan conflict. While state and national politics often become defined by such divisions, local administration cannot afford to operate under similar constraints. Whether replacing a bridge, deploying police to a neighborhood, or preparing for flood events, cooperation is required.
Potholes are indifferent to whether a driver identifies as a Republican, Democrat, or Independent. The same applies to hazardous intersections, ruptured water mains, or families awaiting emergency assistance.
Local officials serve the entire community. We represent neighbors who may vote differently, hold opposing views, or engage in strong disagreements.
Our primary duty remains consistent: to listen, address issues, manage public funds with care, and produce tangible results.
Eliminating party labels from ballots will not end political debate, nor is that the goal. Constructive disagreement remains a vital component of representative democracy.
However, nonpartisan elections shift the focus to where it belongs within local government: the needs of the people we serve and the issues affecting their daily lives.
Voters should assess candidates based on qualifications and examine their track records. Reviewing past accomplishments and future intentions, along with holding officials accountable for their decisions, is essential.
This is the method voters currently use to select leaders in communities across Snohomish County. We believe it is the appropriate approach for county government as well.
Twelve current mayors and seven former mayors from municipalities across King and Snohomish counties have joined a collective communication. The signatories include the current heads of Arlington, Brier, Darrington, Edmonds, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Snohomish, Stanwood, Sultan, and Woodway.
The group of officials represents a mix of present and past leadership in regional governance. Current mayors participating in the letter include representatives from Arlington, Brier, Darrington, Edmonds, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Snohomish, Stanwood, Sultan, and Woodway.
Former municipal leaders who signed the document include previous mayors from Brier, Edmonds, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Snohomish, Stanwood, and Sultan. This coalition spans multiple jurisdictions within the two counties.