Island County commissioners voted to place an advisory vote on the ballot in November 2026, a first in county history.

The non-binding measure, which will essentially serve as a poll, will ask voters whether the commissioners should ban the use of consumer fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county. Under the resolution, which passed in a 2-1 vote, only people who live in unincorporated areas of the county will be able to participate. That means people in Oak Harbor, Coupeville and Langley cannot vote on the issue.

This issue was a bone of contention for Commissioner Jill Johnson, a Republican who represents the greater Oak Harbor area and cast the vote against the resolution. She previously questioned the validity of an advisory vote since some residents — particularly members of t

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