Yakima Council Takes Charter Question off February Ballot

The Yakima City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to remove the charter change question from the February ballot. The proposal was part of the move to a strong mayor form of government. Bruce Smith, part of the group proposing the change says state law requires city-sponsored charter changes to be voted on in November. The city held an executive session and voted after the meeting. The council's decision follows the filing of two lawsuits.
Marguerite Wright and Leigh Kronsnoble both Yakima voters filed two lawsuits Tuesday in Yakima County Superior Court. The suits challenge the proposed change and are supported Columbia Legal Services, the American Civil Liberties Union-Washington and the UCLA Voting Rights Project all of which are also representing the two women.
Bruce Smith, part of the group proposing the change tells the Yakima Herald Republic they'll soon ask the council to place the charter change question on the November 2020 ballot.