county secession movements had interpreted the law to require signatures from only half of those who voted in the most recent election. Coulee County, proposed in 1905. Freedom County: from northern Snohomish County. Claiming frustration at what they believed to be a corrupt Snohomish County government, on April 23, 1995, the would-be commissioners of Freedom County submitted to the Washington Secretary of State a petition with 12,679 signatures calling for the secession of the northern half of Snohomish County, excluding Marysville and the Tulalip Indian reservation. The 1998 decision against the proposed Cedar County was described as a "major setback" for this proposal as well. Independence County: from the eastern portion of Whatcom County. Both Pioneer and Independence movements cite poor services and oppressive property regulations, plus favoritism towards Bellingham as reasons for their proposals. Both are rumored to be backed by land developers. McKinley County, proposed in 1903. Olympic County: from western Clallam and Jefferson counties Palouse County, proposed in 1891 in 1903. Pioneer County: from northern Whatcom County. The 1998 decision against the proposed Cedar County was described as a "major setback" for this proposal as well. Puget Sound County: from southern King County; proposed in 1996 Skykomish County: from southeastern Snohomish and northeastern King counties. The 1998 decision against the proposed Cedar County was described as a "major setback" for this proposal as well. Steptoe County, proposed in 1903. Washington County, proposed in 1891. Wenatchee County, proposed in 1893. Whitehorse County: from northern Snohomish County in the 1970s Wisconsin Century County was proposed in 1997 for creation after the year 2000. The name was selected to represent "a new county for a new century." Montgomery County, proposed in 1846, to be created from Iowa County. Tuskola County was proposed in 1850, which would be split off of Washington County. The proposed borders lie within modern Washington and Ozaukee counties. Wyoming Wind River County, to be formed from eastern Fremont County, with county seat at Riverton. Riverton and Lander, which as county seat would remain in Fremont County, are rival towns. Residents of Wright proposed a split from Campbell County in 2005. In 2004, state senator Stan Cooper introduced a bill to form Fossil County from the southern half of Lincoln County, which failed. References County secession proposals Secession Lists of proposals