King County Local Voters Pamphlet November 6, 2001 General Election King County Proposed Charter Amendment No. 1 BALLOT TITLE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. 1 The King County Council passed Ordinance No. 14206, proposing to add a new section to the King County Charter to guarantee the free exercise of religion and absolute freedom of conscience in all matters of religious sentiment, belief and worship to every individual within King County, and prohibiting the appropriation of public money or property for or to be applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or in support of any religious establishment consistent with the Washington State Constitution. Shall this proposition be: Approved __   Rejected __ EXPLANATORY STATEMENT The proposed charter amendment would adopt language substantially similar to that of Article I, Section 11 of the Washington State Constitution, which guarantees the free exercise of religion. Because King County is bound by the Washington State Constitution, the proposed charter amendment would neither add to nor detract from the existing rights of religious freedom and the limitation on the use of public money or property for the support of religion already applicable to King County. STATEMENT FOR VOTE “YES” IN FAVOR OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION Charter Amendment #1 is modeled after Article I, Section 11 of the Washington State Constitution. For over a century that language has protected freedom of religion in our state. VOTE “YES” IN FAVOR OF THE RIGHT TO WORSHIP Many religious leaders have had great difficulty convincing county officials to recognize the protections of our State Constitution. It is shocking, but the religious leaders have been repeatedly told that in the absence of a county policy protecting religious freedom, county officials will not recognize the protections afforded by our State Constitution unless forced to do so by court order. Thus, Charter Amendment #1 will establish a muchneeded county policy, logically modeled after our State Constitution. VOTE “YES” TO ENSURE FAIRNESS Religious institutions provide many valuable community services to our neighborhoods every day of the week, saving taxpayers substantial money. Religious freedom is important for all people, every day. Charter Amendment #1 assures religious freedom for every King County citizen. REBUTTAL OF STATEMENT AGAINST The opponents have given no tangible reasons why anyone should oppose this valuable charter amendment. The opponents contend that the measure is not necessary, but recent history indicates otherwise, because county officials have told religious leaders that in the absence of a definitive county policy, the protections of the constitution may not be applied. Religious leaders should not have to engage in costly lawsuits to achieve their rights. Vote “YES” to support freedom of religion. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Kent Pullen, Rob McKenna, David Irons STATEMENT AGAINST We support the religious protections embodied in both the U.S. constitution and the constitution of the state of Washington. King County has, and will always prohibit any action that discriminates against a person or organization based on religious affiliation. This balance is the very foundation of the religious freedoms embodied in our federal and state constitutions and is upheld throughout the programs and policies of county government. It is a balance all of us in King County uphold. But the language in this charter amendment is not necessary. It simply restates federal and state constitutional rights that we already support. Our churches and our faith are strong because we respect our constitution. Duplicating the language of the state constitution in our county charter does not strengthen it. Passage of this charter amendment would lead to more lawyers and bureaucrats adding their misconceptions and false interpretations to legal decisions affecting our residents. Whether adopted or not, King County will continue its commitment to preservation of religious freedom and the separation of church and state for the benefit of all citizens of King County. REBUTTAL OF STATEMENT FOR There is no evidence that any county official has ever refused to follow the religious freedom protections guaranteed by our state constitution. Nor is there any proof that the church community was ever told that their religious protections would need to be enforced by a separate court order. Vote NO on Charter Amendment One to continue the existing protections of religious freedom and the separation of church and state already guaranteed by the state constitution. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Louise Miller, Larry Gossett   NOTE: The Division of Records and Elections is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their contents. List of Candidates | Local Voters Pamphlet For more information about this King County Election page, contact: elections@kingcounty.gov

Updated: October 17, 2001