Charter Amendment Petitions and Requests

Series

Identifier: 1802-N3

Scope and Contents Note

Documents pertaining to proposed amendments to the Seattle City Charter, including correspondence between residents of Seattle and city officials, copies of petitions circulated to garner support for the amendments, and drafts of the proposed amendments. Subjects covered in the proposed amendments vary in nature, and include (but are not limited to) the reduction of public transportation fares for senior citizens, the establishment of term limits for elected officials, and removal of the age restriction on those running for public office.

Dates

Creation: 1966-1986

Creator

Seattle (Wash.). City Clerk (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Records are open to the public.

Historical Note

The City Clerk maintains the City’s legislative records, official filings, and the Seattle Municipal Archives; keeps the minutes of City Council meetings; and provides information services to City agencies and the public. Seattle’s first City Charter allowed for a Clerk of the Common Council to be elected by the Council. In 1875 the position of City Clerk became elective and remained so until 1896 when the new Charter designated the Comptroller ex-officio City Clerk. The Comptroller served as City Clerk through 1992. A 1991 City Charter amendment transferred the Comptroller’s function to the Department of Finance and the City Clerk’s Office became a division of the Legislative Department effective in 1993.