Don't step on initiatives

ON Nov. 4, King County voters will be offered a measure to severely restrict their power to amend the county charter by initiative.

The ballot title hides this from voters, apparently in the hope that the people will approve it without understanding it.

Here is the proposed ballot title for Charter Amendment 7:

"Shall King County Charter Section 800 be amended to establish a new process for citizens to directly propose amendments to the King County Charter and to set the signature threshold for citizen-initiated amendments at twenty percent of the votes cast in the last election for county executive, as provided in Ordinance No. 16221?"

Those who sort through this heap of fuzzy words will sense they are being offered something supposed to be good — "a new process for citizens." There is no hint that their existing power is being shrunk.

Now, a charter amendment takes 52,817 signatures; with Charter Amendment 7, it would take 105,633 — twice as many. If anyone complains, officials will say the people approved it.

This afternoon, Judge Erlick of King County Superior Court will have a chance to order the ballot language changed.

He should do it. Democracy requires it.