There have been a handful of October surprises ahead of this year’s Spokane City Council races, those last-minute events that may or may not sway voters in the waning days before the election.

A lawsuit attempting to disqualify a candidate from the ballot, alleging inadequate residency. An attack ad incorrectly claiming to be paid for by unions supporting the candidate being attacked.

But Monday’s reforms to the city’s homelessness laws – a significant pivot towards criminalization by politicians who had until now mostly resisted using tickets and arrests to address the issue – may be the most interesting wrinkle before the final ballots are cast on Tuesday.

Homelessness remains top of mind for voters in Spokane, ahead of crime and cost of living, according to the latest Greater S

See Full Page