The Kent City Council seeks volunteers to write pro and con statements regarding Proposition A, the police and criminal justice ballot measure, that is likely to appear on the April 24, 2018 ballot. If approved by voters, the ballot measure would authorize a 2 percent increase in existing utility taxes on electricity, manufactured and natural gas, telephone, and cable television services. Money derived from the tax would be used exclusively to fund police and criminal justice services.
The Council will appoint up to three members each to Pro and Con Committees who will write statements no longer than 200 words. The Pro Committee’s statement advocating for approval of the ballot measure, and the Con Committee’s statement advocating rejection of the ballot measure, will appear in the King County Voter’s Pamphlet, mailed to registered voters prior to the April 24, 2018 special election. Statements must be completed by the committees and submitted to King County Elections no later than 4:30 p.m. on February 27, 2018.
All completed applications will be submitted to the Kent City Council for review and appointment at their February 6, 2018 meeting. Selected appointees will be notified by the City after the City Council meeting, and their information will be submitted to King County Elections by 4:30 p.m. on February 23, 2018. King County Elections will contact each committee for their statements.
Arguments prepared by the Pro and Con Committees will be made available to the opposing committee for rebuttal statements that must not exceed 75 words on February 28, 2018. Statements rebutting the opposing side’s statements must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 1, 2018.
Interested volunteers must submit a statement in writing or complete an online application by noon on January 30, 2018 to be considered. Application forms can be found online at KentWA.gov/police-and-criminal-justice-ballot-measure, or by visiting the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, 220 Fourth Ave. S. in downtown Kent. Applicants can call (253) 856-5725 with questions.
