BREMERTON, Wash. — Whether former President Donald Trump will appear on Washington state ballots in 2024 won’t be decided in Kitsap County.
On Tuesday, Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Bassett declined to take up the case, arguing it ought to be brought up in Thurston County, where Washington State Secretary of State Steve Hobbs’ office is.
Petitioners said they submitted their challenge in both Kitsap County, where all the signers live, and Thurston County, because they were unclear which was appropriate.
Bassett said, while the petitioners were reasonable to believe they should file in his county, the possibility that petitioners in counties across the state could file the same thing provided a practical issue. Further, the judge argued state law dictates it should be brought up in Thurston County.
“Considering the litigants are seeking a statewide application, I do not believe Kitsap is the appropriate venue for this case,” Bassett said. “There are 39 counties in this state. Filing a separate action in every county could result in, I don’t know how many different decisions.”
Challenges to Trump’s appearances on presidential ballots are taking place in states across the country. Pending challenges, Colorado and Maine have removed Colorado’s Supreme Court removed Trump from the Centennial State’s ballots, as did Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.
The United States Supreme Court will likely have the final say on whether Trump can be removed from states’ ballots.
