What does a YES vote on City of Everett Proposition No. 265 mean?

Everett could publish public notices, ordinances, proposed measures, bid ads and similar items on the City website instead of in a newspaper, with copies available at the City Clerk's office.

What does a NO vote on City of Everett Proposition No. 265 mean?

Everett would still have to publish these notices in a newspaper.

Would the City stop using the newspaper?

The amendment allows website publication instead of the newspaper. The Herald reports city officials said they would likely keep publishing in the newspaper and that the change adds flexibility.

Where could someone without internet see notices?

In the office of the City Clerk, where the information would be available for examination.

Is there an argument against in the voters' pamphlet?

No. The Auditor's office says no one in the city came forward to write one.

How many votes does City of Everett Proposition No. 265 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 City of Everett Proposition No. 265?

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.

City of Everett Proposition No. 265 — Amendment to Eight Sections of the Everett City Charter (Snohomish County)

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

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026 · Everett voters

What it does: City of Everett Proposition No. 265 Amendment to Eight Sections of the Everett City Charter The Amendments to Sections 3.4, 3.5, 4.13, 11.6, 13.9, 15.5, 16.2, and 16.3 would modernize how the City provides the public notice by allowing the City to publish those notices, appointments, ordinances and proposed ordinances, proposed initiatives and referenda, bid advertisements, and franchise on City's website instead of requiring this information to be published in a newspaper, while also having this information available in the office of the City Clerk for examination by the public. Should these amendments to the Everett City Charter be enacted into law?
A YES vote means: Everett could publish public notices, ordinances, proposed measures, bid ads and similar items on the City website instead of in a newspaper, with copies available at the City Clerk's office.
A NO vote means: Everett would still have to publish these notices in a newspaper.
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

Explained

Today

Everett's Charter, adopted in 1968, requires the City to publish certain notices, appointments, ordinances and proposed ordinances, proposed initiatives and referenda, bid advertisements and franchise agreements in a newspaper.

If it passes

The City could publish these materials on its website instead of in a newspaper.
The same information would also be available for public examination in the office of the City Clerk.
The change touches eight Charter sections: 3.4, 3.5, 4.13, 11.6, 13.9, 15.5, 16.2 and 16.3. The Herald reports city officials said they would likely keep publishing in the newspaper as well.

Who would notice

Residents who follow city notices, bidders on city contracts, and the newspaper that now carries the City's legal notices. It does not change any tax.

How it got here

Everett's Charter requires a Charter Review Committee every 10 years. This is that committee's recommendation; the City Council sent it to the ballot on July 15, 2026, one of five charter amendments.

In the news

Everett City Council sends 5 charter amendments to Nov. ballot · The Herald (Everett), 2026-07-17

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

Who's for and against

Supporting (YES)

Voters' pamphlet committee for Proposition 265 (Alice Hedges, Mason Rutledge, Todd Welch) (campaign committee)

Opposing (NO)

No organized campaign found.

A sourced selection, not a complete list. Who supports a measure is listed so you can see who is behind each side; SpectrumVote takes no position.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Everett Proposition No. 265 mean?: Everett could publish public notices, ordinances, proposed measures, bid ads and similar items on the City website instead of in a newspaper, with copies available at the City Clerk's office.
What does a NO vote on City of Everett Proposition No. 265 mean?: Everett would still have to publish these notices in a newspaper.
Would the City stop using the newspaper?: The amendment allows website publication instead of the newspaper. The Herald reports city officials said they would likely keep publishing in the newspaper and that the change adds flexibility.
Where could someone without internet see notices?: In the office of the City Clerk, where the information would be available for examination.
Is there an argument against in the voters' pamphlet?: No. The Auditor's office says no one in the city came forward to write one.
How many votes does City of Everett Proposition No. 265 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 City of Everett Proposition No. 265?: 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 Snohomish County ballot.

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