CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the oath of office for Municipal Court judge; amending Seattle Municipal Code 3.33.120.
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WHEREAS, the oath of office for Municipal Court judges differs from the oaths for all other elected officials of the City of Seattle; and
WHEREAS, the final section of the judges' oaths contains antiquated language connected to the unique historical context of the 1950s and is similar to loyalty oaths that have been held unconstitutional by the United States and Washington supreme courts;
NOW, THEREFORE;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Seattle Municipal Code 3.33.120, last amended by Ordinance 113786, is amended as follows:
3.33.120 - Judges' oaths; bonds.
Every judge of the Municipal Court, before he or she enters upon the duties of his or her office, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Washington, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of judge of the Municipal Court of The City of Seattle according to the best of my ability((; and I do further certify that I do not advocate, nor am I a member of an organization that advocates, the overthrow of the government of the United States by force or violence))." The oath shall be filed in the office of the County Auditor. He or she shall also give such bonds to the state and City for the faithful performance of his or her duties as may be by law or ordinance directed.
Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2015, and
signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this
_____ day of ___________________, 2015.
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President __________of the City Council
Approved by me this ____...
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