Snohomish County Proposition No. 1 — Adoption of a Foundational Government Services Policy

What it does

Proposed Amendments to the Snohomish County Charter Proposition No. 1 Adoption of a Foundational Government Services Policy The Snohomish County Charter Review Commission has proposed an amendment to the county charter concerning a policy to provide for, and sustain, core public services. This proposition would require the county legislature and executive branch to prioritize and protect funding for the offices of county Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Executive, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer, and the District and Superior Court Judges. This proposition would add a new section to Article 6 of the County Charter. Should this proposition be enacted into law:

A YES vote means

Snohomish County's charter would require the county to prioritize and protect funding for the Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Executive, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer and District and Superior Court Judges.

A NO vote means

Snohomish County's charter would not add this funding priority policy.

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

Background

Snohomish County's charter is reviewed by an elected 15-member Charter Review Commission; the 2026 commission's recommendations are transmitted to the County Council and then to the County Auditor for the November 2026 ballot.

According to the Commission's final text, Proposition 1 (its Proposal 13) would add Section 6.140 requiring the County to adopt and update a Foundational Government Services Policy that prioritizes state-mandated services — including the Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Executive, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer and District and Superior Court judges — before expanding discretionary programs, with the Council implementing it by ordinance.

The policy would also promote structural budget balance and set policies for reserves and financial planning; the Commission defines foundational services to include public safety and courts, roads and infrastructure, public health and human services, and emergency management.

After a public hearing on May 20, 2026, the Commission voted 12–0 to send the proposal to the November ballot.

Put on the ballot by Snohomish County Charter Review Commission, 12–0, May 20, 2026 (Proposal 13).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

Who's for and against

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.

Next elections here

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

Also on Snohomish County ballots

• Snohomish County Proposition No. 2 — Prioritize Funding of Budget Stabilization Funds
• Snohomish County Proposition No. 3 — Converting All Elected County Offices to Non-partisan Offices
• Snohomish County Proposition No. 4 — Increasing Public Access to County Financial Transparency
• Snohomish County Proposition No. 5 — Requiring a 4/5 Supermajority Council Vote to Increase Taxes

All Snohomish County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Snohomish County Proposition No. 1 mean?

Snohomish County's charter would require the county to prioritize and protect funding for the Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Executive, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer and District and Superior Court Judges.

What does a NO vote on Snohomish County Proposition No. 1 mean?

Snohomish County's charter would not add this funding priority policy.

How many votes does Snohomish County Proposition No. 1 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 Snohomish County Proposition No. 1?

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.