Editing List of counties in Washington (section)

== Governance ==
{{See also|Government of Washington (state)}}
[[File:Washington population map.png|thumb|upright=1.13|Population density map of Washington]]
Counties provide a broad scope of services, including court operation, parks and recreation, libraries, arts, social services, elections, waste collection, roads and transportation, zoning and permitting, as well as taxation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Services|url=https://www.kingcounty.gov/services.aspx|website=King County|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=County Services|url=https://www.spokanecounty.org/101/County-Services|website=Spokane County|access-date=May 30, 2020}}</ref> The extent of these vary, and some are administered by municipalities. Counties are not subdivided into [[minor civil division]]s like townships; sub-county local government is only by [[List of cities and towns in Washington|incorporated cities and towns]], as well as by [[List of Indian reservations in Washington|29 Indian reservations]], while unincorporated areas are governed only by the county. There are 242 [[census county division]]s for statistical purposes only.<ref>{{cite web|title=Washington: Basic Information|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2010/geo/state-local-geo-guides-2010/washington.html|work=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>

The default form of county government is the non-charter commission, with three to five elected commissioners serving as both the legislature and executive. Seven counties have adopted charters providing for home rule distinct from state law: King, Clallam, Whatcom, Snohomish, Pierce, San Juan, and Clark. Of these, King, Whatcom, Snohomish, and Pierce, four major counties on [[Puget Sound]], elect a [[county executive]]. Councils in the other three charter counties appoint a manager to administer the government.<ref name="MRSC">{{Cite web |title=County Forms of Government |url=http://mrsc.org/Home/Explore-Topics/Governance/Forms-of-Government-and-Organization/County-Forms-of-Government.aspx |publisher=[[Municipal Research and Services Center]] |access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref> Voters may also elect a clerk, treasurer, sheriff, assessor, [[Coroner (Washington state)|coroner]], auditor (or recorder), and prosecuting attorney. Elections are nonpartisan in non-charter counties, but charter counties may choose to make some positions partisan, though all elections are by [[Nonpartisan blanket primary|top-two primary]].<ref name="MRSC" />