Clerk outlines timeline for filling Senate District 13 vacancy; weighted votes explained

Washington County Clerk announced April 22 that the process to fill the Senate District 13 vacancy has begun and that counties must complete the appointment by May 19 under state rules.

At the work session, the Clerk said the Secretary of State’s office notified counties that the 30-day appointment clock began when the seat was vacated on April 19. The county was directed to invite the state Democratic Party to submit three to five names; the party has scheduled a meeting for May 4 to provide its candidate list to affected counties (Washington, Clackamas and Yamhill).

The Clerk explained how weighted votes will work among the three counties: Washington County commissioners have 15.8 votes total (3.16 votes per commissioner), Clackamas County commissioners would have a smaller weighted total because one seat on that board is currently vacant, and Yamhill County has a smaller allotment. The Clerk said county staff proposed several potential dates — May 7, 13, 16 or 19 — to hold the regional appointment meeting and is coordinating with Clackamas and Yamhill to select a date that fits each county’s schedules.

The Clerk said the county will use the same agenda and appointment procedures as past interim appointment processes, and that commissioners will publicly cast their weighted votes when the appointment meeting is scheduled.

Outlook: The counties and the state Democratic Party will coordinate in early May; Washington County commissioners will vote on a nominee during the inter-county appointment meeting scheduled no later than May 19.