Employee Elections
Elections for the employee-selected members of the Civil Service Commission and Public Safety Civil Service Commission
The Office of the City Clerk is responsible for administering the elections for the employee-selected members of the Civil Service Commission (as directed by SMC 4.04.250) and the Public Safety Service Commission (as directed by SMC 4.08.040).
The next regular elections will be held November 6 – 13, 2023.
The Notices of Election and Calls for Candidates can be found here:
All employees who are covered by one of the Civil Services are eligible to:
- Propose themselves as a candidate for the employee-elected Commissioner position by filing a Declaration of Candidacy during the week of October 2-6, no later than 5 p.m. Friday, October 6
- Vote for the employee-elected Commissioner
By clicking on each commission name above, you will be directed to the website, where you can find additional information about the commissions.
Election Timeline
Sep. 11 – 26 Notification period, candidate information sessions held
Oct 2-6 Candidacy Week (filing period for Candidacy Declarations)
Oct. 6, 5 p.m. Deadline to submit Candidacy Declaration forms, voter pamphlet statement, and photo to Office of the City Clerk
Oct. 27 Ballots, instructions, and voter pamphlets mailed to eligible voters’ home addresses
Nov. 6-13 Election Week – ballots returned by mail or completed online
Nov. 20* Election results certified by the City Clerk
Nov. 20* Candidates notified of election results by City Clerk
*A change from our previously announced schedule
Election Rules
On August 29, 2023, our office approved revisions to the rules governing the elections. Revisions included:
- Updating the rule format and structure to match current standards
- Clarifying language regarding hybrid (electronic and paper) elections
- Allowing for ranked-choice voting, to eliminate the need for separate run-off elections
The rules can be found here:
Current Civil Service Commission election rules
Current Public Safety Civil Service Commission election rules
Questions about the Commissions and the role of the commissioner can be directed to sarah.butler@seattle.gov, or 206-586-1991.
Questions about the election can be directed to the Office of the City Clerk at janet.polata@seattle.gov or (206) 386-4087.