Bellevue Fire Fighters Local 1604 v. City of Bellevue

This case is a challenge to section 3.90.050(B) of the Bellevue City Code (BCC), which provides with respect to nonpartisan elections for positions on the Bellevue City Council:

No city employee shall take an active part in the political management or political campaign of a candidate for a position on the Bellevue city council.

Pursuant to BCC 3.90.060, violation of BCC 3.90.050(B) is punishable by civil and criminal sanctions. The offender may also be suspended or discharged from city employment.

The Bellevue Fire Fighters Union, a Bellevue Fire Department captain, and a registered voter…