Committee recommends confirmation of three nominees to Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission

The Governance & Utilities Committee on April 9 recommended confirmation of three nominees to the Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission, restoring the commission to its full seven-member composition.

Director Barnett introduced the nominees and described the commission's role enforcing the city's ethics, elections and whistleblower codes. Andrea Lino, who said she is an immigration lawyer and active Seattle resident, and Anita Khandelwal, who said she practiced as a King County public defender, introduced themselves and summarized relevant experience. Evan Smith was introduced in absentia and described by a councilmember as an experienced volunteer in local oversight work.

Council President Hollingsworth moved to recommend confirmation of appointment numbers 3470, 3472 and 3473; a councilmember seconded the motion and the clerk recorded a favorable committee roll call. The committee's recommendation will be transmitted to the full Council for final action on April 14.

The commission enforcement responsibilities include the ethics code, elections code, whistleblower protections and political-consultant rules; the nominees said they were motivated to strengthen public trust and transparency.