Seattle (Wash.) Ethics And Elections Commission

The Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission administers and enforces four codes covering Ethics, Elections, Whistleblower Protection, and Lobbying. Its responsibilities include enforcing campaign practices legislation and financial disclosure requirements, and developing and enforcing ethical standards for city officials and employees. The Commission has the authority to impose fines for violations of the Ethics, Elections, and Lobbying Disclosure Codes.

The Commission was formed in 1992 through the consolidation of the Board of Ethics and the Fair Campaign Practices Commission. The latter two bodies were created following adoption of the ethics and elections codes in 1971. The same individuals comprised the membership of the two entities, but the functions were separate and they were staffed independently. The Elections Administrator, from the one-person Office of Election Administration, staffed the Fair Campaign Practices Commission, which heard grievances and ruled on finance violations.

From the guide to the Seattle Ethics And Elections Commission Campaign Finance Reports, 1975-2004, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

The Board of Ethics was established in 1971 to promote ethical behavior by City officials and employees, to provide advisory opinions regarding conflicts of interest, and to conduct hearings regarding violations of the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics sets standards of conduct for City officials and employees in carrying out City business. The members of the Board of Ethics also served as the Fair Campaign Practices Commission, which heard cases of campaign violations, although the two entities maintained separate offices and staff. In 1991 the two entities were consolidated into the independent Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission. The Commission enforces campaign practices legislation, including financial disclosure requirements, and develops and enforces ethical standards for city officials and employees.

From the guide to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission Cases, 1967-2005, 1971-2001, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

The Board of Ethics was established in 1971 to promote ethical behavior by City officials and employees, to provide advisory opinions regarding conflicts of interest, and to conduct hearings regarding violations of the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics sets standards of conduct for City officials and employees in carrying out City business. The members of the Board of Ethics also served as the Fair Campaign Practices Commission, which heard cases of campaign violations, although the two entities maintained separate offices and staff. In 1991 the two entities were consolidated into the independent Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission. The Commission enforces campaign practices legislation, including financial disclosure requirements, and develops and enforces ethical standards for city officials and employees.

From the guide to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission Policy and Administration Records, 1969-2004, 1992-2001, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

The Board of Ethics was established in 1971 to promote ethical behavior by City officials and employees, to provide advisory opinions regarding conflicts of interest, and to conduct hearings regarding violations of the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics sets standards of conduct for City officials and employees in carrying out City business. The members of the Board of Ethics also served as the Fair Campaign Practices Commission, which heard cases of campaign violations, although the two entities maintained separate offices and staff. In 1991 the two entities were consolidated into the independent Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission. The Commission enforces campaign practices legislation, including financial disclosure requirements, and develops and enforces ethical standards for city officials and employees.

From the guide to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission Meeting Materials, 1973-2002, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)