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Charter review panel tables amendment that would offer vacancies to runners‑up before public advertising
Summary
The Clallam County Charter Review Commission debated a proposed amendment from Commissioner Richards to offer vacancy appointments first to the sixth- and seventh-place finishers in elections, then advertise if they decline. After debate about fairness and legal precedent the commission voted to lay the proposal on the table indefinitely.
The Clallam County Charter Review Commission on March 10 considered a proposed charter amendment from Commissioner Mark Richards that would change how vacancies are filled after an election. Richards’ proposal would require that, when a vacancy occurs, the county first offer the seat to the sixth- or seventh-place finisher in that election; only if those candidates decline would the county advertise the opening to the public.
The proposal’s author, Commissioner Mark Richards, told the commission he drafted the amendment in response to public comments and prior meetings where residents and commissioners had expressed concern that advertising an opening and then appointing someone directly without considering the next-place finishers “feels unfair.” Richards said the amendment is “a two‑step process…first offer a vacant position to the sixth or the seventh people. And if they decline that, then you advertise.”
Commissioners debated whether codifying past practice was…
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