From: Matthew Pederson <[address removed]>
Subject: [SpokaneGOP] Spokane GOP Chairman Challenges Candidacy of Democrat County Commissioner Candidate John Roskelley
To: [address removed]
Cc: [address removed], [address removed]
Date: Friday, May 18, 2012, 5:59 PM
For Information, Contact:
Matthew Pederson
[masked]
Roskelley Ineligible for Commissioner Seat
Signs Oath Declaring Residency Where No House Exists
Spokane - Spokane County Republican Party Chairman Matthew Pederson today called on Spokane County Auditor Vicki Dalton to declare candidate John Roskelley as ineligible to have his name listed on the ballot for County Commissioner, District #1, because Roskelley does not reside in that commissioner district.
In his Washington State Declaration of Candidacy filed this past Wednesday, John Roskelley declared under oath that he resides at 10121 E. Heron View Lane. The problem is that no house or any other structure exists on the property.
According to Washington State law, anyone seeking office in a district must be a qualified voter of that district and reside in that district. To be a qualified voter, the person must "physically reside and maintain his or her abode" within that district. These provisions in law apply to school board members, fire commissioners, legislators, county commissioners and other offices where candidates are elected to represent a specific geographic area.
"The law is very specific. The candidate must physically reside in the district at the time he or she files the Declaration of Candidacy," stated Matthew Pederson. "John Roskelley stated under oath when he filed his declaration on Wednesday that he physically resides at the address. That statement is undeniably false." Roskelley owns the property and has applied for a building permit, but no permits have been issued by Spokane County. Tax records for the parcel lists his "taxpayer information" address as 3624 W. Kiernan, a residence owned by his son located nearly half a mile outside commissioner district #1.
Last June, Roskelley changed his voter registration from a home he sold to the bare property on Heron View Lane. Up until this spring, he had his voter ballots sent to his son's home. He has cast votes in two elections since changing his voter registration last year.
"Providing false information to register to vote and participate in elections where you are not a qualified voter is against the law. He knowingly committed voter fraud and of all people, he should know better," stated Pederson.
[more]
Pederson was referring to Roskelley's past role as a county commissioner. In that position, Roskelley served as a member of the Canvassing Board, a three-person board charged with overseeing election laws and compliance. He would have been involved in determining when citizens were not qualified to cast votes, or had falsely signed election documents.
Pederson stated, "Nothing speaks louder to character than when a person skirts the law for personal gain. The public is so tired of politicians engaging in questionable behavior. Character is about what you do when you don't think anyone is watching. This speaks volumes."
Roskelley had a similar issue regarding residency in 2001. As an incumbent county commissioner in district #1, he made an offer on a home outside his district by about two blocks and sold his home in anticipation of the move. Even as the commissioner for that district for more than 5 years, he apparently was not aware of the boundaries of his district. Roskelley ultimately backed out of the purchase, lost his earnest money deposit and negotiated the re-purchase of his home within the district.
The county commissioner district in which Roskelley is seeking candidacy is the same one he represented previously and has essentially the same boundaries.
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Matthew Pederson
Chairman
Spokane County Republican Party
[masked]
[address removed]
