As a long-time resident of Battle Ground, I have witnessed our town's incredible growth from a small community of 500 people to now over 22,000 residents. With projections indicating that our population will soon reach 30,000, it is evident that Battle Ground has experienced significant changes over the years.

However, one aspect that has not evolved with our town's growth is the process of electing our mayor. Currently, all council members are elected by the people, but they then choose the mayor amongst themselves. This system limits our ability as citizens to directly elect and hold accountable the individual who serves as our mayor.

Therefore, I am starting this petition to urge The City of Battle Ground to amend its laws and allow for direct mayoral elections by putting position #1 (the Mayor position) on the ballot. By implementing RCW35A.13.033 into law at a local level, we can ensure that WE THE PEOPLE have a voice in selecting our mayor.

Why should we make this change? Here are some compelling reasons:

1. Democratic Representation: In a democracy like ours, it is essential for citizens to have direct involvement in choosing their leaders at all levels of government – including mayoral positions.
2. Accountability and Transparency: Directly electing our mayor would enhance accountability and transparency within local governance by allowing voters to hold them responsible for their actions.
3. Increased Civic Engagement: By giving us an opportunity to vote for our mayor directly, more residents will be motivated to participate in local politics and engage with important community issues.
4. Reflecting Community Values: The diverse population of Battle Ground deserves representation that reflects its values and priorities accurately – something only possible through direct elections.

To support these claims with relevant facts about similar cities or towns where mayors are elected directly would strengthen the petition. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any specific sources or statistics to cite at this time. However, it is evident that many cities across the United States have already adopted direct mayoral elections, recognizing the importance of citizen participation in local governance.

Therefore, I urge all residents of Battle Ground who believe in the power of democracy and want a stronger voice in choosing our mayor to sign this petition. Together, let's bring about a positive change that will empower us as citizens and ensure that our town's leadership truly represents our collective interests.

Thank you for your support!