Washington Supreme Court Declines Attempt to Reinstate Sheriff Standards Law
The ruling keeps longstanding sheriff eligibility rules in place while multiple legal challenges continue and candidates file for 35 county races this week.
- On Tuesday, Deputy Court Commissioner Walter Burton declined to pause a lower court ruling, keeping a block on Senate Bill 5974, which imposes stricter eligibility standards for county sheriffs.
- Thurston County Superior Court Judge Christine Schaller blocked the law last week after Eastern Washington sheriffs filed a lawsuit claiming the requirements are unconstitutional and violate voters' rights.
- Commissioner Burton wrote that enforcing the law now risks "irreparable deprivations" for candidates, as they could be disqualified during the current one-week filing window for upcoming elections.
- Existing electoral standards remain in place while the legal challenge against the legislation continues through the courts, preserving the status quo from previous years.
- Should the law be upheld in future rulings, sheriffs who fail to meet the new requirements could still be removed from office, even if they file for election now.
13 Articles
13 Articles
The Columbian
The spokesman-ReviewWashington Supreme Court declines attempt to reinstate sheriff standards law
OLYMPIA — The Washington Supreme Court declined to reinstate new sheriff rules that a Thurston County Judge put on hold last week following a lawsuit from Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels and other Eastern Washington sheriffs. Read more...
King5 News
Washington State Supreme Court denies state's attempt to reinstate sheriff's standards law
After a Thurston County judge blocked part of the law, the state filed a motion seeking a reversal. The state Supreme Court denied the motion Tuesday.
Nisqually Valley News
The ReflectorWashington Supreme Court rejects state’s attempt to unblock sheriff eligibility law
A Washington Supreme Court commissioner on Tuesday declined to pause a judge’s ruling that blocked a new law setting stricter qualifications for sheriffs. Deputy Commissioner Walter Burton agreed with sheriffs challenging the law that the status quo from past years should remain while litigation continues, even as candidates for sheriff file to run for election this week. “Denying a stay essentially means that the system that has long been in p…
Washington Supreme Court rejects state’s attempt to unblock sheriff eligibility law - The Daily Chronicle
A Washington Supreme Court commissioner on Tuesday declined to pause a judge’s ruling that blocked a new law setting stricter qualifications for sheriffs. Deputy Commissioner Walter Burton agreed with sheriffs challenging the law that the status quo from past years should remain while litigation continues, even as candidates for sheriff file to run for election this week. “Denying a stay essentially means that the system that has long been in p…
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