District-Based School Board Elections

Introduction

The School Board is currently a five-member elected body where all members are currently elected at-large. Under at-large voting, all voters within the School District boundaries cast their ballot for all School Board candidates. The School Board found that the current at-large voting system may violate the Washington Voting Rights Act. To correct the potential violation, the Board formally adopted a resolution to change the electorial system to a districting plan that would require four members to reside in a specific voting district and be elected only by voters within that same voting district. In addition, there would remain one member that is elected at-large.

Washington Voting Rights Act (Ch. 29A.92 RCW)

The Washington Voting Rights Act provides a process for the board to change its election system. The process requires public notice of the proposed redistricting plan, a comment period, and a public hearing.

On April 12, 2022, the Board determined the best course of action would be to move to a district-based voting system with four director districts with one at large position.

The Board approved of a new election system in November 2022, which results in a new election for all Wenatchee School District Board of Directors’ positions in the November 2023 General Election. Utilizing the newly adopted election system all members of the Board will need to run in the general election in November 2023. After the election of all the members of the Board under the Plan, the District may subsequently choose to stagger the terms of its positions.

All five Wenatchee School District Board positions will be available for filing during the candidate filing period in Chelan County, May 15-19, 2023. Candidates must file for the district position in which they reside.

District Position #1 (4 yr. term)
District Position #2 (4 yr. term)
District Position #3 (4 yr. term)
District Position #4 (4 yr. term)
At Large Position #5 (2 yr. term)

Candidate filing begins Monday, May 15th at 9:00 am and closes Friday, May 19th at 5:00 pm in the Chelan County Auditor's Office, located in the Chelan County Courthouse, 350 Orondo Ave, Level 3, Wenatchee, WA. Applications may be submitted online, in person, or by mail.