Sounds like what happened here in Kitsap in 1999-2000. I worked hard collecting signatures to turn Kitsap into a Charter County and then I was the Vice Chair of the committee that formed after we passed the Freeholder or the first part of the process to encourage voting for the Charter.
The D’s were on board until the 11th hour when the majority conservative Freeholder’s would not insert language authorizing a County Ombudsman and would increase the commissioner districts into 5 council districts elected by an at-large vote of the entire county. The conservatives wanted the council members elect by district.
The Dims knew this would destroy their dependable 20,000+ liberal voting advantage they enjoy from Bainbridge Island...so the Charter died on election night.
We are still considering making a move towards a Charter as we do every 20 years or so or until peoples collective memory of the last attempt fades. This time, we are looking to do it via the commissioners...we just have to elect a “balance” of representation on the county commission first. Ed Wolfe is hopefully the first step in that direction. You know Ed don’t you?
Don't know Ed Wolfe.