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08/09/2005: "BOCC Punts On Appointing-Now It Gets Interesting"

BOCC Still Short One Commissioner
Citing an inability to agree, but agreeing that they usually agree, the BOOC failed to make an appointment to fill the District 3 seat that was vacated by Miller.

Commissioner Lichter pointed out that in general they are united in what they want to do for San Juan County, but in this particular disagreement, "both candidates Myhr and Stevens have filed for the Primary, and I would like to suggest to Kevin that we let the process go forward and allow the voters to make the choice, and when the Primary is certified on September 20th, that the winner will be seated as our third commissioner"

Kevin did not seem at all surprised by the suggestion, and quickly responded to Lichter: "I actually very much appreciate that suggestion.….Depending on the outcome ..if the outcome is obvious.. we may be able to appoint prior to the certification."

This is where it becomes interesting. On August 31, every voter in San Juan County will receive two ballots, one for those voting as a Democrat, and one to vote as a Republican (those who live on San Juan Island will also receive a ballot for the SJI school levy).

Only one ballot may be returned, but there is no control or requirement on who may vote for whom. As the Si Stephens, the County Auditor noted, the process allows Republicans, who do not as yet have a candidate in this race, to still influence the outcome of the primary. As one member of the public said, "you can be a Democrat for a day".

There is another possible twist to this: if a write-in candidate receives 1% or more of the number who vote in the election, they too will be on the ballot; so it is possible that the Republicans may still have a candidate on the ballot in the general election.