Multiple former Pierce County officials are suing the county to challenge a proposal that would change the position of sheriff from elected to appointed.
Several amendments to Pierce County’s charter will be on the ballot this November, including Charter Amendment 53, which would change the Pierce County Sheriff from an elected position to an appointed one. If this proposal passes, it would consequently terminate Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank’s four-year term on January 1, 2027. Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello would then appoint a new sheriff.
“Mello has publicly stated he is ready to appoint, and it will not be Swank,” the lawsuit, obtained by KIRO Newsradio, read. “Mello is seeking to convert elected offices to appointed offices to centralize control of county government in his office.”…