In Washington state, elected officials who hold partisan positions—where they run as Democrats, Republicans, or another political party—must, by law, be replaced by someone from the same party if they leave office. But what if the official didn’t claim any party at all when they ran? Right now, the state constitution doesn’t say what to do.
That’s where House Joint Resolution 4212, a proposed constitutional amendment from Rep. Skyler Rude (R-Walla Walla), comes in. He wants to fill that legal gap.
Why This Matters
While it’s rare, some people do run for partisan offices without stating a party preference. For example, in the 2024 Walla Walla County commissioner race, Bertha Clayton won without formally running as a Democrat, even though she had connections to the local Democratic party. Her victory over a Republican raised questions: If she were to resign or leave her role, how would she be replaced?
Under current rules, political parties suggest three candidates to fill such vacancies. But if no party is declared, there’s no clear rule for how to proceed.
What the Amendment Proposes
Rep. Rude’s amendment says that if someone who didn’t list a party preference vacates their seat, they can be replaced by a person of any party—or none at all. In other words:
- The remaining officials wouldn’t be required to choose from party-approved lists.
- They’d be free to select any qualified replacement.
- This helps avoid long delays, such as waiting for a special election.
Rude explained, “Representation is important,” and if a vacancy like this happens, the law should ensure that voters aren’t left without leadership.
Where This Is Already Happening
It’s not just Walla Walla. Rude told lawmakers that counties like Garfield, Asotin, Pacific, and Grays Harbor also have similar cases where nonpartisan individuals hold partisan roles.
So far, Rude hasn’t found an example of someone with “no party preference” vacating such a seat. But he believes it’s only a matter of time, and the law needs to be ready.
What Happens Next?
If the constitutional amendment passes the Washington House and Senate, the final decision will go to voters in November 2026. A separate bill, HB 2460, would also update the matching state laws to reflect this change.
Why This Matters for Democracy
Rep. Rude pointed out that not everyone wants to be tied to a political party—and they shouldn’t have to be. He said, “Democracy means anyone should be able to run for office, no matter their party views or lack of them.”
The proposal is not just about politics—it’s about protecting fair representation for all voters, no matter who they choose to support.
