Clackamas County Commissioners Investigated
Attorney hired to investigate Clackamas County Commissioners
Reported by: Carly Kennelly
Email: ckennelly@koin.com
Last Update: 5/17 3:06 pm
OREGON CITY, Ore. -- You probably remember the mess that happened recently when the Clackamas County Clerk put a race on the primary ballot that was only supposed to be on the general election ballot. Commissioners asked Secretary of State Kate Brown to take over the election so there wouldn't be any more mistakes. But Brown said clerk Sherry Hall did nothing wrong, it was just a misinterpretation of a confusing law over seat vacancies.
A group of citizens have hired an attorney to investigate the matter involving the reprinting of primary ballots. The concerned citizens say commissioners should have never butted in, elections are outside their jurisdiction.
Commissioner Position 3 Candidate Jim Needham ran his campaign expecting to be on the primary ballot and now he won't be.
"Now I'm looking at another six months of campaigning. The whole strategy for my campaign has changed. I have to reregister for the general election," said Needham.
Needham accuses the commissioners of interfering in the lawful execution of a fair and secure election. Clackamas County Commissioners would not comment on the investigation saying it wouldn't be appropriate with the primary election on Tuesday.
