SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL - Record No: CB 118993

• Record No: CB 118993
• Version: 2
• Council Bill No: CB 118993
• Type: Ordinance (Ord)
• Status: Passed
• Current Controlling Legislative Body: City Clerk
• On agenda: 6/19/2017
• Ordinance No: Ord 125334
• Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to residential rental properties; amending Sections 7.24.060, 7.24.070 and 7.24.080 of the Seattle Municipal Code; requiring that landlords provide information to tenants about how to register to vote and how to update voter registration information.
• Sponsors: Kshama Sawant
• Supporting documents: 1. Summary and Fiscal Note, 2. Proposed Amendment 2 (added; 6/19/17), 3. Proposed Amendment 1 (added; 6/19/17), 4. Memo - Voter Registration Information, 5. Affidavit of Publication

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/23/2017	2	City Clerk	attested by City Clerk
6/23/2017	2	Mayor	returned
6/23/2017	2	Mayor	Signed
6/21/2017	2	City Clerk	submitted for Mayor's signature
6/19/2017	1	City Council	passed as amended	Pass
6/13/2017	1	Energy and Environment Committee	pass	Pass
6/5/2017	1	City Council	referred
6/1/2017	1	Council President's Office	sent for review
5/16/2017	1	City Clerk	sent for review

CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to residential rental properties; amending Sections 7.24.060, 7.24.070 and 7.24.080 of the Seattle Municipal Code; requiring that landlords provide information to tenants about how to register to vote and how to update voter registration information.
body
WHEREAS, approximately 11 percent of the U.S. population relocated between 2015 and 2016 per the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2016 Annual Social and Economic Supplement; and
WHEREAS, approximately 23 percent of the U.S. population who are renters relocated between 2015 and 2016 per the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2016 Annual Social and Economic Supplement; and
WHEREAS, studies show that there is low voter participation among persons who have recently relocated; and
WHEREAS, 41 percent of renters who had lived in their home for more than five years reported that they voted in 2014 per the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, November 2014; and
WHEREAS, only 21 percent of renters who had lived in their home for less than one year reported that they voted in 2014 per the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, November 2014; and
WHEREAS, providing voter registration information to a tenant when a rental agreement is offered to a tenant may increase voter participation among tenants who have recently relocated; and
WHEREAS, landlords are uniquely positioned because of the landlord-tenant relationship to provide voter registration information to tenants who have recently moved to Seattle or within Seattle; and
WHEREAS, increasing voter participation is a proper exercise of the police power to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of the general public; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 7.24.060 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125222, is amended as follows:
7.24.060 ...