Overall, proponents of the Charter Project of Mendocino County are hoping that a governing charter would protect the community from further nationwide economic downturns and safeguard against corporate exploitation. The group sees the greatest advantage of enacting a charter being that its provisions are just as powerful as state law, but would only apply to Mendocino County.

“It’s about having a say in your government,” Zellachild said.

Volunteers are elated to have gathered enough signatures.