County auditor signs amicus brief on voter residency question; staff visited Snohomish for pet‑licensing study
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Summary
Mason County Auditor Steve Dunkel said he and the prosecutor’s office joined an amicus brief asking the Washington Supreme Court for guidance about voter-roll maintenance following a consent decree on a 30‑day residency rule; he also said county licensing staff visited Snohomish County to study pet licensing operations
MASON COUNTY, Wash. — Mason County Auditor Steve Dunkel told the Board of Commissioners Sept. 16 that, with concurrence from county prosecutors, he signed onto an amicus brief to the Washington State Supreme Court seeking clarification about how auditors should conduct voter‑roll maintenance after a recent consent decree involving the 30‑day residency rule.
Dunkel said the consent decree entered by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs last year — in response to litigation by the Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans — created ambiguity over how auditors should verify addresses for voters who register and vote on election day. "Voter rolls are the backbone of our election system, and integrity of the database is key to voter confidence," Dunkel said.
Dunkel said he and the Kittitas County auditor, Bridal Elliott, jointly asked the state Supreme Court for guidance on when and how to conduct voter‑roll maintenance in light of the consent decree and existing federal and state laws.
Dunkel also reported that members of the county licensing team and his chief deputy visited Snohomish County to learn about that county’s pet‑licensing program and related ordinances. He said the auditors reviewed Snohomish’s ordinance and Shelton City’s pet‑licensing rules and will share those documents with the commissioners.
Commissioners asked Dunkel to gather and share the ordinances and rules the licensing team reviewed. No formal action was taken; Dunkel said he would provide the materials to the board.