Elections director Huff looking to keep job in next election

On Tuesday morning King County Elections Director Sherril Huff announced she will file as a candidate for election to the position she already holds.

In the afternoon the longtime Kitsap County resident registered to vote in King County, using a Seattle address that she says is her new home.

Before the day was over, two other likely candidates questioned whether she can legally become a voter and a candidate before she moves. Huff said she meets the legal requirements.

One of the candidates, high-school teacher Chris Clifford, said he expects to formally challenge her claim that she is a King County resident. "I don't think she's moved. I think she's lying — and I think it's pathetic," Clifford said.

"She's clearly not a King County resident," said state Sen. Pam Roach, who expects to file as a candidate this week and whose own place of residence and voter registration were challenged in 2003 when she ran unsuccessfully for the Metropolitan King County Council.

A three-day filing period opens today for candidates for elections director. Voters decided last month to change the appointed position to an elected one, and numerous people have expressed interest in running for the $146,000-a-year job.

Huff, who is backed by the man who appointed her, County Executive Ron Sims, said Tuesday she will sleep in her new Rainier Beach house "in the next couple of days — not tonight." She said friends and relatives will help her pack for the move this weekend.

Her last-minute move to Seattle is consistent with her declaration on her voter-registration form that she "will have lived" in her new home for 30 days before the Feb. 3 election.

When she registers as a candidate this week, she will have to sign a declaration that she is "a registered voter residing at" her new King County address.

King County Elections spokeswoman Bobbie Egan, citing advice from a county prosecutor, said legal precedent "provides that a residence is established when a person physically resides at a place with the intent to presently make that place a permanent home."

The county elections director — Huff — typically hears challenges of voter registrations. Huff said she would recuse herself if her own registration is challenged.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com