Positions open in Twisp, Winthrop, school district, fire district
While it’s an off year for most federal and state elections, the 2023 general election ballot will be full of local races.
In several cases, a majority of the elected body is up for re-election, setting up the potential for shifts in direction if challengers make strong efforts.
Seats will be up for election on the Twisp, Winthrop and Pateros town councils, the Methow Valley School Board, the Okanogan County Fire district 6 board of commissioners, and the Three Rivers Hospital District board — not to mention a couple of cemetery districts.
Additionally, it is anticipated that two special elections may be on the November ballot: the possible annexation of the Town of Twisp to Fire District 6, and the possible formation of a recreation district to support the construction of a new, year-round facility to replace the Wagner Memorial Pool in Twisp.
In Twisp, Mayor Soo Ing-Moody will be up for re-election, as will a majority of the Town Council: Hans Smith, Mark Easton and Alan Caswell. Council members Katrina Auburn and Aaron Studen are not up for re-election.
Similarly, in Winthrop, a majority of the Town Council — Seth Miles, Ben Nelson and Bill McAdow — will be up for re-election. Mayor Sally Ranzau and council members Joseph O’Driscoll and Kirstin Vanderhalf are not up for re-election this year.
Three of the Methow Valley School Board’s five members — Judith Hardmeyer-Wright, Mary Anne Quigley and Frank Kline — will be up for re-election. Board members Dana Stromberger and Gary Marchbank are not up for re-election
One of the three-member Fire District 6 board of commissioners — Jerry Palm — will be up for re-election; Miles Milliken and Darold Brandenburg are not.
If necessary, races with more than two candidates filing will be narrowed to the two top vote-getters in the Aug. 1 primary election.
Election information
• Candidate filing with the Okanogan County Auditor’s Office begins May 15 and closes May 19. The withdrawal deadline is May 22.
• The 18-day voting period for the Nov. 7 general election begins Oct. 20.
• The deadline for receiving new voter registrations and updates online is Oct. 30.
• The deadline for in-person voter registrations and updates is Nov. 7.
• For complete information about elections, visit www.okanogancounty.org/government/auditor/elections/index.php.
Annexation proposal
For several years, the Town of Twisp and Fire District 6 have been discussing the annexation of the town to the district. The two entities have been negotiating the details of a pre-annexation agreement that would be finalized before a proposal to annex the town to District 6 goes before voters.
Twisp and District 6 have been close to putting the finishing details on that agreement, and the most recent indication is that a proposed annexation could be on the November ballot.
Voters in both the town and the fire district must approve a proposed annexation. If Twisp becomes part of the fire district, town residents will be eligible to vote in elections affecting Fire District 6 operations, and will be eligible to run for positions on the district’s board of commissioners. Currently, Twisp residents have no direct say in the operation of the fire district.
The Town of Winthrop annexed into the fire district in 2017, leaving Twisp as the only town still contracting for protection.
Twisp renewed its agreement with District 6 to provide fire protection services in the town through 2023, at the same annual rate of $60,000 as in the previous year. If the annexation is approved, the fire protection agreement would remain in place until the district began taxing town residents in 2024.
Friends of the Pool, the nonprofit organization that is working to replace the aging Wagner Memorial Pool, is also involved in plans to put the proposed formation of a recreation district on the ballot as soon as November. The recreation district is considered necessary to enable the construction and operation of a new pool. An informal committee has been exploring the potential for a recreation district with the hope of bringing it before voters as soon as possible.
Following a list of positions that will be on the November ballot. All are non-partisan.
Hospital District 1 (Three Rivers Hospital)
Commissioner Position No. 1, at large, 6-year term, incumbent David Garcia.
Commissioner Position No. 5, at large, 6-year term, incumbent Tracy Shrable.
City of Pateros
Council Position No. 3, 4-year term, incumbent George Brady.
Council Position No. 4, 4-year term, incumbent Michael L. Harding.
Council Position No. 5, 4-yaer term, incumbent Megan Sherrard.
Town of Twisp
Mayor, 4-year term, incumbent Soo Ing-Moody.
Council Position No. 3, 4-year term, incumbent Alan Caswell.
Council Position No. 4, 4-year term, incumbent Mark Easton.
Council Position No. 5, 4-year term, incumbent Hans Smith
Town of Winthrop
Council Position No. 3, 4-year term, incumbent Ben Nelson.
Council Position No. 4, 4-year short and full-term position, incumbent Seth Miles.
Council Position No. 5, 4-year term, incumbent William McAdow.
Methow Valley School District
Director District 1, 4-year term, incumbent Judith Hardmeyer-Wright.
Director District 3, 4-year term, incumbent Mary Anne Quigley
Director District 5 at large, 4-year term, incumbent Frank Kline.
Cemetery District 1
Commissioner Position No. 1, 6-year term, incumbent Gary L. Marchbank
Cemetery District 2
Commissioner Position No. 2, 6-year term, incumbent Leone C. Edson.
Okanogan County Fire District 6
Commissioner Position 3, 6-year term, incumbent Jerry Palm.
