This page provides examples of cities and counties in Washington State that have established youth councils, youth commissions, and other programs to encourage teenagers and young adults to participate in local government.

Youth Commissions and Councils

Many jurisdictions have established dedicated youth commissions or councils to increase youth participation in local affairs and provide input on issues of importance to youth. Below are just a few selected examples.

• Asotin County Youth Commission — Makes recommendations to county officials, supports youth activities, and provides leadership training. Sponsored by Asotin County Commission, Clarkston School District, and WSU Asotin County Extension.
• Clark County Youth Commission — Members are 11 to 19 years old and advise the county. Website includes a number of reports and policy recommendations produced by the commission and periodically features youth achievement awards.
• Colfax Municipal Code Ch. 2.26 — Youth Advisory Commission advises city council, boards, commissions, and staff on youth issues. Six voting members and one alternate appointed by mayor and confirmed by council. Any high school student in good standing is eligible.
• DuPont Resolution No. 12-413 — Youth Council consists of up to 20 high school students under the governance of the park agency. Members may serve until they graduate from high school.
• Federal Way Youth Commission —12 voting members and three alternates appointed by council; members must be sophomores or juniors. See Federal Way Municipal Code Ch. 2.60.
• Seattle Youth Commission — 15 members, with eight appointed by the mayor and seven by council, with at least one member representing each of the seven council districts. Members must be 19 years old or younger at time of appointment. See Seattle Municipal Code Ch. 3.67.
• Snohomish County Children's Commission — 25 members, of which at least two must be under 18 years old, to advise the county on issues affecting infants, children, and youth ages 0-18.
• Spokane and Spokane County Chase Youth Commission — Interlocal youth commission advises both the city and the county while working on its own activities. Funded by interlocal agreement, as well as charitable donations to affiliated nonprofit foundation.  

Youth Participation on Advisory Boards and Commissions

A number of cities provide seats for youth members on various advisory boards, especially boards related to parks, libraries, human services, and the arts. However, some jurisdictions also provide for youth participation in other areas such as planning or transportation commissions.

Youth members often (but not always) have full voting rights and responsibilities, although they might not count toward quorum requirements and they usually serve shorter terms (one to two years). Below are selected examples.

• Auburn Municipal Code Ch. 2.45 — Planning Commission includes nonvoting high school senior member with a one-year (June-to-June) term.
• Centralia Municipal Code Ch. 2.22.020 — Parks and Recreation Advisory Board should "preferably" include a youth representative 18 years old or younger at the time of appointment. If youth position is vacant, it may be filled by a citizen at large.
• Clark County Public Health Advisory Council — Includes one member of the Clark County Youth Commission, Clark County Youth, or a local high school or college.
• Edmonds Municipal Code Ch. 10.03 — Any city board or commission may appoint a high school or college student as a nonvoting member.
• Kirkland Municipal Code Sec. 3.08.110 — One "youth-specific seat" on the Human Services Advisory Committee, Library Board, Park Board, and Transportation Commission. Youth members must be sophomores or juniors at time of appointment; term lasts two years.
• Lacey Municipal Code Sec. 2.42.020, Sec. 2.44.020, and 2.46.020 — One youth member each appointed to the Historical Commission, Park Commission, and Library Board. Youth members must be sophomores or juniors and at least 16 years old; term is one year and youth member may be reappointed to a second term.
• Redmond Boards and Commissions — Parks and Trails Commission appoint one “youth advocate” to a one-year term; Human Services Committee appoints 2 youth advocates to serve
• Renton Boards, Commissions, and Committees — One youth representative under the age of 21 appointed to the Human Services Advisory Committee, Municipal Arts Commission, and Parks Commission.
• Spokane County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee — One nonvoting youth member with a one-year term.

Youth Volunteers and Student Internships

Many jurisdictions provide some form of internships (paid or unpaid) or volunteer opportunities for teenagers and college students, which can be a great way to interest youth in local government and begin to develop their skills, knowledge, and professional networks. Below are just a couple examples of larger internship and volunteer programs.

• Lacey WIN! Youth Program — City-sponsored grant program encourages youth participation in projects that foster community pride; pays youth groups up to $300 per service project.
• Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Volunteer as an Intern or Extern — High school students can shadow a deputy prosecutor, victim advocate, or legal assistant for a day.
• Port of Seattle Summer Internship Program — Port district greatly expanded its high school internship program, beginning in 2016. Externship opportunities are available to college and law school students.
• Seattle City Light High School Internships — 8-week paid summer internships for high school students.
• Tukwila Police Department High School Internship (2017) — Description of part-time paid internship including community outreach, police ride-alongs, and clerical work.
• Tumwater High School Intern Program — Paid student interns must be at least 16 years old and are rotated through city departments every 3-4 months.

Youth Representation at City Council

A few cities (typically smaller jurisdictions) have created positions for student representatives or liaisons to city council. In the examples below, the youth liaisons are often invited to attend city council meetings and speak on youth and school issues, but they may not vote or sit in on executive sessions.

• Quincy Municipal Code Ch. 2.20 — Student representative is invited to attend council meetings, may sit with council, and must comply with council rules of procedure. Also provides for an alternate, who also serves as the student member of the Recreation and Arts Commission.
• Sequim Resolution No. 2006-04 (2006) — Creates two student liaison positions and states that each liaison "shall attend each evening council meeting."
• Sultan Municipal Code Ch. 2.21 — High school liaison may be appointed by mayor and approved by council, or alternatively multiple students may serve on a rotating basis as approved by the high school principal.  

Other Youth Participation Programs

Below are other selected programs that aim to engage youth in local government and the community.

• Bellevue Youth Link — Youth leadership program sponsored jointly by the city and the school district. Includes a governing council, a Youth Link Board that advises city council and the city manager on youth issues, and smaller action teams that work on specific tasks and projects.
• Union Gap Resolution No. 654 (2007) — Provides for a student delegate to travel with city representatives to the National League of Cities annual meeting  

Examples of Youth Participation Documents

Below are examples of application forms, award nomination forms, and other documents related to youth participation in local government.

Youth Application Forms

• Mill Creek Youth Advisory Board Application Form (2022)
• Redmond Arts Commission Youth Advocate Application (2020)
• Renton Youth Application for Boards/Commissions/Committees (2021)

Award Nomination Forms

• Asotin County Youth Awards Nomination Form (2020)
• Clark County Youth Achievement Award Nomination Form (2016)

 Policies, Procedures, and Bylaws

• King County Internship Policies and Procedures Manual (2013) — Detailed guide for employing student interns and work-study students
• Mill Creek Youth Advisory Board Bylaws (2016)

Recommended Resources

• National League of Cities: Authentic Youth Civic Engagement Guide — Includes tools for promoting meaningful youth participation in local government.
• American Planning Association (WA Chapter): Youth in Planning Task Force — Examples and resources for engaging youth in planning.