Severson’s Eligibility for Charter Review Commissioner Challenged

From the Office of the County Auditor

The County Auditor’s Office has received a challenge to the eligibility of candidate Laura Jo Severson to run for Charter Review Commissioner.  The challenge, submitted by Shari and Harold Harrison, alleges that Ms. Severson does not meet the five-year residency requirement included in the County’s Home Rule Charter.

The County Charter does not specify the method for resolving a challenge to a person’s five-year residency.  There is a process set up in state law (RCW 29A.08.810-850) to review challenges to a voter’s registration, and the County Canvass Board is expected to follow that procedure to handle this challenge to Ms. Severson’s residency.

Voter registration challenges must include a factual basis for the challenge, and may not be based on unsupported allegations.  At the hearing, the challenger has the burden to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the challenged voter’s registration is improper.  In this case, the challengers must prove that the challenged candidate is ineligible because she has not been a resident of the County “for at least five (5) years preceding [the] election,” as required by Charter.

The hearing will be held in the County Council Chambers at 9 am on Monday, August 22, 2011.  The matter will be heard by the County Canvassing Board, which consists of the County Auditor, Milene Henley, as Chair; the County Prosecutor, who will be represented by Deputy Prosecutor Jon Cain; and the Chair of the County Council, Lovel Pratt.  The meeting is open to the public.

The challenge is available for viewing on the County Elections website at www.sanjuanco.com/elections.  Select “Voter Challenges” on the left-side navigation bar, then “click here” to see the challenge currently under review.