What is going on with [Lynnwood Councilman] Joshua Binda’s residency issues is absolutely exposing of a need to restore democratic integrity. I believe we need a Red Team – or a team of experts – to look at our current laws and recommend improvements for integrity at a statewide level. We should have clear but fair residency requirements for elected officials – and consequences for not honoring those requirements, period.
With Binda very publicly learning that rotating his address denies residency requirements, how long until others try the same trick?
Our state needs a legislature that will treat the Revised Code of Washington around our state and local democracies as seriously as Microsoft treats its Windows 11 operating system. In fact, Microsoft understands there are many working to breach Windows 11, hence Microsoft making regular updates.
We ideally would double down on investment in the Public Disclosure Commission to enforce all or almost all election laws, require annual address verification for elected officials, and so on. One can review the written public comment for the April 24 meeting to see why more—not less—investment is needed. That’s a priority.
Ultimately, our state legislature needs to make regular updates to restore Washingtonian exceptional democratic integrity but perhaps we should first have an expert panel make recommendations. Our democracy is more at threat from weak defenses and enforcement here at home than the wrong Washington.
Thoughtfully;
Joe A. Kunzler, Skagit County
Op-Ed DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lynnwood Times nor any of its affiliates.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
