1105P Procedure - Electoral System - Director Districts
Division or Re-division of District into Director Districts under 28A.343.040
If the district decides to create director districts or re-divide director districts under RCW 28A.343.040, the district will develop a plan consistent with the following criteria:
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Each director district will be as nearly equal in population as possible;
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Each director district will be as compact as possible and consist of geographically contiguous area;
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Population data will not be used for purposes of favoring or disfavoring any racial group or political party; and
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Each director district will, to the extent feasible and if not inconsistent with the basic enabling legislation for the district, coincide with existing recognized natural boundaries and will, to the extent possible, preserve existing communities of related and mutual interest.
During the adoption of its plan, the district shall ensure that full and reasonable public notice of its actions is provided. The district will publish a draft plan and hold a meeting, including notice, and comment, within ten days of publishing the draft plan and at least one week before adopting the plan. The district will amend the draft plan as necessary after receiving public comments and resubmit any amended plan for additional written public comment at least one week before adopting the plan.
Any registered voter residing in an area affected by the redistricting plan may request review of the adopted local plan by the superior court of the county in which he or she resides, within fifteen days of the plan’s adoption. Any request for review must specify the reason or reasons alleged why the local plan is not consistent with the applicable redistricting criteria. The district may be joined as respondent. The superior court shall thereupon review the challenged plan for compliance with the applicable redistricting criteria.
Changing the Electoral System under the Washington Voting Rights Act
If the district changes its electoral system to remedy a potential violation of the Washington Voting Rights Act by implementing director districts, then the district will develop a plan consistent with the following criteria:
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Each director district will be as nearly equal in population as possible;
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Each director district will be as compact as possible and consist of geographically contiguous area;
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Each director district will, to the extent feasible and if not inconsistent with the basic enabling legislation for the district, coincide with existing recognized natural boundaries and will, to the extent possible, preserve existing communities of related and mutual interest; and
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Director-district boundaries will not be drawn or maintained in a manner that creates or perpetuates the dilution of the votes of the members of a protected class or classes.
Before adopting its plan, the district will provide public notice to its residents about its proposed remedy. If a significant segment of its residents have limited English proficiency and speak a language other than English, then the district will provide accurate written and verbal notice of the proposed remedy in languages that diverse residents of the district can understand and air radio or television public service announcements describing the proposed remedy in the languages that diverse residents of the district can understand. The district will also hold at least one public hearing at least one week before the district’s plan is adopted.
If the district changes its director boundaries under the Washington Voting Rights Act, all director positions are subject to election at the next regular election. The district may subsequently choose to stagger the terms of its positions.
Dissolution of Director Districts
Upon receipt by the educational service district superintendent of a resolution adopted by the board or a written petition from a first-class or second-class school district signed by at least twenty percent of the registered voters of the district previously divided into director districts, which resolution or petition shall request dissolution of the existing director districts and reapportionment of the district into no fewer than three director districts and with no more than two directors at large, the superintendent, after formation of the question to be submitted to the voters, shall give notice thereof to the county auditor who shall call and hold a special election of the voters of the entire district to approve or reject such proposal, such election to be called, conducted, and the returns canvassed as in regular district elections.
Upon receipt by the educational service district superintendent of a resolution adopted by the board or a written petition from a first-class or second-class school district signed by at least twenty percent of the registered voters of the district previously divided into director districts, which resolution or petition shall request dissolution of the existing director districts and reapportionment of the district into no fewer than three director districts and with no more than two directors at large, the superintendent, after formation of the question to be submitted to the voters, shall give notice thereof to the county auditor who shall call and hold a special election of the voters of the entire district to approve or reject such proposal, such election to be called, conducted, and the returns canvassed as in regular district elections.
If approval of a majority of those registered voters voting in said election is acquired, at the expiration of terms of the incumbent directors of the district their successors shall be elected in the manner approved.
Date: 10/14/08
Revised: 8/16/11; 2/9/16; 3/10/20