Washam Recall Petition Filed

The petition to recall Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Dale Washam was filed today with the Pierce County Auditor. The Recall Dale Washam Committee filed a total of 5,546 petition pages, containing an estimated 65,495 signatures.

A total of 65,495 valid signatures of Pierce County voters are required to place the recall question on the ballot.

The Auditor's Office will begin the verification of signatures on Thursday, Aug. 18. "While the Secretary of State's Office is permitted to use statistical sampling to check signatures, in this county recall petition, we will verify every single signature necessary to certify the petition. Statistical sampling is not permitted," said Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor.

"The committee has informed us that they intend to continue to bring in additional petition pages during the verification process," said Anderson. "The goal of the Auditor's Office is to complete the certification process and deem it successful or unsuccessful on Sept. 9."

The Auditor will hold a briefing for interested parties Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 9:30 a.m. at the Emergency Operation Center media room, 2501 S. 35th St., Suite D, in Tacoma. The briefing is oriented to media and to individuals leading efforts for and against the recall campaign. The briefing will cover the signature verification process, observer guidelines and schedule.

Updates about the signature check and petition certification process will be posted daily at 4:30 p.m. on the Auditor's website at http://www.piercecountywa.org/elections.

If the signature requirement is met, the recall question will be placed on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot.

The Pierce County Auditor's Office is responsible for conducting elections, licensing services, maintaining and preserving a variety of public records and animal control services.