Approve Charter Amendment 8: Make King County less partisan

Voters parsing through a crowded federal, state and local ballot should stop for a moment on King County Charter Amendment 8, a proposal to make offices of county executive, assessor and County Council nonpartisan. Then, the wise voter should say yes.

Voters in August had a first crack at this proposal but it is a two-step process. The favorable vote in the primary must be followed by another yes on the official charter change on the November ballot.

For county executive and council members in odd-numbered council districts, the change would take effect in November 2009. For assessor and council members in even-numbered districts, the change would come in November 2011.

County government can operate more smoothly, in a less rancorous manner, if partisanship is removed. Issues of transportation, land use, density and criminal justice do not really lend themselves to the traditional divisiveness of Republican and Democratic ideology.

Getting rid of the partisanship could open the offices to more challengers. Too frequently, County Council and executive campaigns lack vigorous opponents. It's the land of incumbency. Making the offices nonpartisan ought to attract more new participants.

For these reasons and more, vote a comfortable yes for King County Charter Amendment 8.