What does a YES vote on Island County (unincorporated area) mean?

This advisory vote would tell the Island County Commissioners that voters support changing county code to ban consumer fireworks in unincorporated Island County.

What does a NO vote on Island County (unincorporated area) mean?

This advisory vote would tell the Commissioners that voters do not support a consumer fireworks ban in unincorporated Island County.

Will a 'yes' result ban fireworks?

Not by itself. The vote is advisory and not binding; commissioners may or may not act on the results. A ban would require a separate ordinance, which under state law could not take effect until at least one year after adoption.

Why can't city residents vote?

The question is limited to unincorporated Island County because a county ban would apply only there; the cities and town set their own rules. Commissioner Bacon said it would be unfair for city residents to decide rules outside their cities; Commissioner Johnson objected to creating 'different classes of citizens.'

Would public fireworks shows still happen?

Yes. The explanatory statement says public displays authorized by permit are not affected.

Who paid for the vote?

Safe and Humane Fireworks of Island County paid the $3,500 needed to put the question on the ballot, according to the Whidbey News-Times.

How many votes does Island County (unincorporated area) need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Island County (unincorporated area)?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Island County (unincorporated area) — Advisory Vote Regarding the Use of Consumer Fireworks in Unincorporated Island County

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Only voters in this district

What it does: The Island County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. C-62-25 calling for an advisory election to determine whether the people residing in unincorporated Island County support a ban on the use of consumer fireworks within unincorporated Island County. Should the Island County Board of Commissioners amend Island County Code Chapter 9.08A - Fireworks to ban the use of consumer fireworks in unincorporated Island County?
A YES vote means: This advisory vote would tell the Island County Commissioners that voters support changing county code to ban consumer fireworks in unincorporated Island County.
A NO vote means: This advisory vote would tell the Commissioners that voters do not support a consumer fireworks ban in unincorporated Island County.
Needed to pass: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean: Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Only on your ballot if you live in the unincorporated Island County.

Explained

Today

In unincorporated Island County, consumer fireworks other than mortar-style fireworks may be used on certain days of the year, unless they are prohibited during severe dry weather, according to the Prosecuting Attorney's explanatory statement. The county's July 1, 2026 bulletin listed July 3 and July 4 as the allowed days this year.
Commissioners banned mortar-style consumer fireworks in 2023; a broader effort to ban all consumer fireworks did not pass at that time.
The cities and town in Island County (Oak Harbor, Coupeville and Langley) set their own fireworks rules. Langley has banned fireworks since 2020.

If it passes

Nothing changes in the law either way. This is a non-binding advisory vote: it tells the Board of County Commissioners whether voters want the county code (Chapter 9.08A) amended to ban all consumer fireworks in unincorporated areas.
If commissioners later decide to adopt a ban, they would have to pass a separate ordinance. Under state law (RCW 70.77.250), a local fireworks rule stricter than state law cannot take effect sooner than one year after it is adopted.
Permitted professional public displays would not be affected by a ban, according to the explanatory statement.

Who would notice

People who live, celebrate or own property in unincorporated Island County on Whidbey and Camano islands. Residents of Oak Harbor, Coupeville and Langley do not vote on this question and would not be covered by a county ban.

How it got here

The Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 on November 4, 2025 (Resolution No. C-62-25) to put the question on the ballot, the county's first advisory vote of its kind. Commissioner Melanie Bacon brought it forward; Commissioner Jill Johnson voted no, objecting that city residents and second-home owners would be left out.

The anti-fireworks group Safe and Humane Fireworks of Island County paid the $3,500 cost of placing the question on the ballot after commissioners said the county budget had no room for it, the Whidbey News-Times reported.

What each side says

Supporters

A ban would reduce preventable fire danger in a drought-stricken county with dense forests, limited evacuation routes and mostly volunteer fire departments, and help preserve access to affordable homeowners' insurance. Island County has become a destination for 'fireworks tourism' as neighbors restrict them, and fireworks frighten pets, livestock, wildlife and veterans. Permitted professional displays would still be allowed. · Committee for a Safer, Healthier, and more Environmentally Friendly July 4th (voters' guide argument for)

Opponents

The county has already reached a reasonable compromise by limiting when and where fireworks may be used, banning mortars and allowing extra limits in dry conditions. Those rules should be enforced instead of replaced with prohibition, and families should be able to keep and pass on Fourth of July traditions. · Committee to Keep Fireworks (voters' guide argument against)

In the news

South Whidbey group funds fireworks advisory vote · Whidbey News-Times, 2026-09-01
Advisory vote on fireworks set for 2026, but city residents can't take part · South Whidbey Record, 2025-11-07

Written by SpectrumVote from 6 linked sources (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

The Island County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. C-62-25 on November 4, 2025, placing this advisory question on the ballot. Commissioner Jill Johnson is recorded as opposed; Chair Melanie Bacon and Commissioner Janet St. Clair signed.

The resolution notes that the board voted in 2023 to amend the county's fireworks code to ban consumer use of mortar-style fireworks. It says the question is for advisory purposes only and is limited to voters in unincorporated Island County.

The South Whidbey Record and Whidbey News-Times reported that city residents cannot vote on the question, and that a local group paid the cost of putting it on the ballot after commissioners said the county budget had no room for it.

Put on the ballot by Island County Board of Commissioners, 2-1, November 4, 2025 (Resolution No. C-62-25; Johnson opposed).

From official source.

In the news

Advisory vote on fireworks set for 2026, but city residents can't take part · South Whidbey Record
South Whidbey group funds fireworks advisory vote · Whidbey News-Times

See your members of Congress and every race and measure on your ballot in Island County, from your address. Your address stays in your browser.Look up my races

Next elections here

2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Island County ballots

Port District of South Whidbey Island Proposition No. 1 — Levy for Renovation and Modernization of Port Facilities

All Island County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Island County (unincorporated area) mean?: This advisory vote would tell the Island County Commissioners that voters support changing county code to ban consumer fireworks in unincorporated Island County.
What does a NO vote on Island County (unincorporated area) mean?: This advisory vote would tell the Commissioners that voters do not support a consumer fireworks ban in unincorporated Island County.
Will a 'yes' result ban fireworks?: Not by itself. The vote is advisory and not binding; commissioners may or may not act on the results. A ban would require a separate ordinance, which under state law could not take effect until at least one year after adoption.
Why can't city residents vote?: The question is limited to unincorporated Island County because a county ban would apply only there; the cities and town set their own rules. Commissioner Bacon said it would be unfair for city residents to decide rules outside their cities; Commissioner Johnson objected to creating 'different classes of citizens.'
Would public fireworks shows still happen?: Yes. The explanatory statement says public displays authorized by permit are not affected.
Who paid for the vote?: Safe and Humane Fireworks of Island County paid the $3,500 needed to put the question on the ballot, according to the Whidbey News-Times.
How many votes does Island County (unincorporated area) need to pass?: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Island County (unincorporated area)?: SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?: The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Island County ballot.

See something wrong on this page? Report a problem · Corrections