A video posted Saturday shows Skagit County Commissioner Joe Burns standing inches from an official ballot drop box while identifying himself as a candidate seeking to retain his seat in the Nov. 3 election.
In the clip, Burns says: “Hey, Skagit County Commissioner Joe Burns running to retain my seat this November. Make sure you get your ballot turned into an official ballot drop box no later than 8 p.m. on November 3rd. And make sure that your vote counts.” In the comment section of the video the next day, his wife, Naomi Ann Snow Burns, wrote, “Hey I recorded that!”
The video was posted to the Facebook account, Elect Joe Burns, on Oct. 31. It was taken at the Sedro-Woolley U.S. Post Office located at 111 Woodworth St.
The location and wording raise questions under RCW 29A.84.510, which restricts certain activities near ballot drop boxes during the voting period. That period begins 18 days before a special, primary, or general election and ends on Election Day. For the Nov. 3 contest, it opened in mid-October, placing Oct. 31 well inside the window…