Seattle City Council

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The Seattle City Council, the legislative body of Seattle, Washington, consists of nine members elected at large. Each member's term is four years, and there are no limits on the number of terms a member may serve. Positions are nonpartisan.

Election of city council members occur on odd-numbered years, with either 4 or 5 councilmembers up for election based on position number. The 4 even-numbered positions are up for election November 8, 2009. The 5 odd-numbered positions are up for election November 6, 2007. All councilmembers' terms begin January 1.

The current makeup of the council is:

Even-numbered positions

Odd-numbered positions

Although positions are nonpartisan, all current councilmembers are Democrats.

[edit] Council president

The Seattle City Council picks amongst its peers a council president to serve a 2-year term, beginning January 1 of the year following an election. The function of the council president is to serve as the official head of the city's legislative department. In addition, he/she is tasked with

establishing of committees and appointment of committee chairs and members
presiding over meetings of the full council
assuming the duties and responsibilities of Mayor if the Mayor is absent or incapacitated.