Snohomish County’s guide to the 2023 election

Here is everything you need to know before Election Day.

Election

Voters will decide on some of the top jobs in Snohomish County, including county sheriff, executive, auditor, Superior Court judge as well as several city councils and school boards.

The deadline to drop off ballots at one of the county’s drop boxes is 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7.

When mailing in, ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 7. Voters can check the status of their ballots once they’re sent, received and accepted on VoteWA.gov.

Here is our latest coverage of the 2023 races:

Snohomish County

County Executive

Bob Hagglund, left, and Dave Somers, right

Bob Hagglund, left, and Dave Somers, right

Somers, Hagglund face off in county executive race

Somers, the Democratic incumbent, is being challenged by Hagglund, who chairs the county’s Republican Party.

County Council District 2

Megan Dunn, left, and Georgia Fisher

Megan Dunn, left, and Georgia Fisher

County Council candidates differ sharply on solutions to homelessness

Megan Dunn hopes to keep a progressive tilt to the council. Georgia Fisher advocates for a choice between drug treatment or jail time.

County Assessor

Linda Hjelle, left, and Joe Wanagel

Linda Hjelle, left, and Joe Wanagel

Longtime Snohomish County assessor faces landlord’s election challenge

Linda Hjelle wants to keep up her work for a final term. Joe Wanagel thinks current property taxes are a sign for the assessor to go.

County Auditor

Garth Fell, left, and Cindy Gobel

Garth Fell, left, and Cindy Gobel

Election insiders face rematch for Snohomish County auditor

Incumbent Garth Fell is proud of his term. His colleague Cindy Gobel thinks she can do a better job — and she’s outspoken about it.

County Sheriff

Snohomish County Sheriff candidates Adam Fortney Susanna Johnson during an Everett Council of Neighborhoods forum on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County Sheriff candidates Adam Fortney Susanna Johnson during an Everett Council of Neighborhoods forum on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Fortney, Johnson face off in expensive, contentious sheriff’s race

Nearly $400,000 has been spent and barbs have been thrown as Snohomish County picks its next sheriff.

Who has donated to the Snohomish County sheriff candidates?

A Daily Herald review showed who has given campaign cash in the race between Adam Fortney and Susanna Johnson.

Snohomish Superior Court

Judge position 16

Brett Rogers, left, and Miguel M. Duran

Brett Rogers, left, and Miguel M. Duran

Former cop, skeptical of appointees, challenges incumbent for judge

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Miguel Duran faces Brett Rogers, who has run as a Republican, in the nonpartisan race.

Judge position 17

Patrick Moriarty, left, and Mary Anderson

Patrick Moriarty, left, and Mary Anderson

Judge race pits candidates running on ‘diverse’ resume vs. legal resume

Patrick Moriarty points to his decades working in courtrooms. Mary Anderson wants more “diversity of thought” on the bench.

Arlington

Mayor and city council positions 4 and 6

Top row, Don Vanney, left, Barbra Tolbert, Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam. Bottom row: Kenneth Dilbeck, left, Michele Blythe and Gregory Miller.

Top row, Don Vanney, left, Barbra Tolbert, Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam. Bottom row: Kenneth Dilbeck, left, Michele Blythe and Gregory Miller.

Arlington mayoral, City Council candidates address growth, safety

Amid a rising population, the city has grappled with questions about infrastructure, traffic, housing — and more.

Bothell

City council positions 2, 4 and 6

Top row from left: Mason Thompson, James McNeal and Carston Curd. Bottom row from left: Mark Swanson, Thomas Agnew and Amanda Dodd.

Top row from left: Mason Thompson, James McNeal and Carston Curd. Bottom row from left: Mark Swanson, Thomas Agnew and Amanda Dodd.

Housing density is the big question in Bothell City Council races

In one of three races, Mason Thompson is defending his council and mayoral seat from longtime fellow council member James McNeal.

Edmonds

Mayor

Mike Nelson, left, and Mike Rosen

Mike Nelson, left, and Mike Rosen

Nelson, Rosen running neck-and-neck for Edmonds mayor

The incumbent, Mike Nelson, says his opponent Mike Rosen lacks experience. Rosen believes his opponent’s tenure has led to “lost trust.”

City council positions 1, 4 and 6

Top from left: Roger Pence, Christine Eck and Mackey Guenther. Bottom from left: Michelle Dotsch, Susan Paine and Kevin Fagerstrom.

Top from left: Roger Pence, Christine Eck and Mackey Guenther. Bottom from left: Michelle Dotsch, Susan Paine and Kevin Fagerstrom.

Housing, zoning, policing are top topics in Edmonds City Council races

School district 15 directors 1 and 5

Carin Chase, left, Nicholas Logan, Nancy Katims and Nicholas Jenkins.

Carin Chase, left, Nicholas Logan, Nancy Katims and Nicholas Jenkins.

Edmonds school board candidates focus on funding, core subjects

A projected $15 million budget deficit means finances — and looming cuts — are top of mind for candidates.

Everett

City council positions 6 and 7

Top row: Demi Chatters and Judy Tuohy. Bottom row: Scott Bader and Judith Martinez.

Top row: Demi Chatters and Judy Tuohy. Bottom row: Scott Bader and Judith Martinez.

Everett council candidates differ on solutions to homelessness, safety

Scott Bader faces Demi Chatters as he tries to rejoin the council. Judy Tuohy faces Judith Martinez in her bid to retain her seat.

School district 2 directors 2 and 5

Jen Hirman, left, Charles Mister, Charles Adkins and Ryne Rohla.

Jen Hirman, left, Charles Mister, Charles Adkins and Ryne Rohla.

Everett school board candidates offer dueling priorities

Incumbent Jen Hirman is running against Charles Mister to fill Position 2. Charles Adkins and Ryne Rohla are competing for Position 5.

District 2 Port Commissioner

Tom Stiger, left, and Bob Champion

Tom Stiger, left, and Bob Champion

Port of Everett candidates aim to balance development, environment

Bob Champion, 68, is challenging incumbent Tom Stiger, 84, for a six-year term for Port commissioner.

Lake Stevens

City council position 4

Kymm Shipman, left, and Gloria Ngezaho

Kymm Shipman, left, and Gloria Ngezaho

Lake Stevens council candidates talk transit, transparency, police

Gloria Ngezaho believes the mayor should’ve signed a Pride proclamation. Kymm Shipman wants a stronger police presence.

City of Lynnwood

City council positions 4, 5 and 7

Top row: Nick Coelho, left, Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, David Parshall Bottom row: Jim Smith, left, Robert Leutwyler, Derek Hanusch.

Top row: Nick Coelho, left, Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, David Parshall Bottom row: Jim Smith, left, Robert Leutwyler, Derek Hanusch.

Lynnwood council candidates face decisions on housing, transportation

More than half of the Lynnwood City Council could be filled with new faces after ballots are counted Tuesday.

Marysville

School district directors 2, 3 and 5

Tiffani Mondares-Riggs, left, Eliza Davis, Beth Hoiby and Sherryl Kenney.

Tiffani Mondares-Riggs, left, Eliza Davis, Beth Hoiby and Sherryl Kenney.

School board candidates to navigate financial woes in Marysville

Candidates say they’ll ask for more state money, as well as transparency in district spending.

Mill Creek

City council position 5

Vincent J. Cavaleri, left, and Tannis Golebiewski

Vincent J. Cavaleri, left, and Tannis Golebiewski

Mill Creek candidates differ on city’s growth, public safety

City Council incumbent Vincent Cavaleri opposes state guidance on growth management. Tannis Golebiewski says residents should have a say.

Monroe

City council positions 4 and 5

Monroe City Council candidates focused on growth, safety

Melanie Lockhart, left, Heather Fulcher, Junelle Lewis and Jacob Walker.

Melanie Lockhart, left, Heather Fulcher, Junelle Lewis and Jacob Walker.

Monroe’s population has nearly doubled since 2000. How to handle that growth, along with public safety, were among candidates’ top concerns.

School district directors 1 and 2

Top from left: Tiana Armstrong, Jeremiah Campbell, Melanie Ryan. Bottom from left: Chuck Whitfield, Jennifer Bumpus, Andrew Fegler

Top from left: Tiana Armstrong, Jeremiah Campbell, Melanie Ryan. Bottom from left: Chuck Whitfield, Jennifer Bumpus, Andrew Fegler

After Monroe superintendent turmoil, 1 school board race is contested

Candidates have dropped out of races leading up to the general election, leaving one of four seats with a real campaign trail.

Mukilteo

City council positions 4, 5 and 6

Top from left: Ashvin Sanghvi, Mike Dixon and Donna Vago. Bottom from left: Richard Emery, Riaz Khan and Carolyn “Dode” Carlson.

Top from left: Ashvin Sanghvi, Mike Dixon and Donna Vago. Bottom from left: Richard Emery, Riaz Khan and Carolyn “Dode” Carlson.

Incumbents, newbies face off in Mukilteo City Council election

Waterfront development, EMS levy lift and Hawthorne Hall are among the biggest hot-button issues.

Snohomish

City council position 1

Maygen Hetherington, left, and John Kartak

Maygen Hetherington, left, and John Kartak

Ex-Snohomish mayor faces political newcomer in City Council bid

John Kartak touts his fiscal responsibility. Maygen Hetherington wants to focus on small business and growth.

School district 2 and 4 directors

Tabitha Baty, left, Rob Serviss, Sarah Adams and Sherri Larkin.

Tabitha Baty, left, Rob Serviss, Sarah Adams and Sherri Larkin.

Snohomish school board candidates focus on success, parent involvement

Tabitha Baty and Rob Serviss are competing to represent District 2. In District 4, incumbent Sarah Adams is facing Sherri Larkin.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Fosse will not seek reelection; 2 candidates set to run for her seat

Mason Rutledge and Sam Hem announced this week they will seek the District 1 City Council position.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police arrest two males in shooting at Swift bus

Man, 19, is booked for investigation of attempted murder. 17-year-old held at Denney Juvenile Justice Center on similar charges.

K-POP Empire store owners Todd Dickinson and Ricky Steinlars at their new store location on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood K-pop store wary of new tariffs

Much of the store’s merchandise, which arrives from China and South Korea, is facing new import fees.

Fire department crews rescue climber after 100-foot fall near Index

The climber was flown to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett with non-life-threatening injuries.

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother found competent to stand trial in stabbing death of 4-year-old son

A year after her arraignment, Janet Garcia appeared in court Wednesday for a competency hearing in the death of her son, Ariel Garcia.

Everett council member to retire at end of term

Liz Vogeli’s retirement from the council opens up the race in the November election for Everett’s District 4 seat.

Washington State Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn speaks during the Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s Annual Meeting and Awards events on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Commerce boss: How Washington state can make it easier for small businesses

Joe Nguyen made the remarks Wednesday during the annual meeting of the Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Awards

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County Council toughens enforcement on nuisance RVs

Any RV parked on public roads in unincorporated Snohomish County for more than 72 hours will be at risk of impoundment.

Ryan Bisson speaks to seniors attending a transit workshop hosted by Community Transit on Friday, May 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Community Transit helps seniors navigate buses, trains

A number of workshops hosted by the Snohomish County agency teach older adults how to most effectively ride public transit.

Valley View Middle School eighth grader Maggie Hou, 14, a NASA’s annual “Power to Explore” challenge finalist on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Local students make finals in NASA competition

NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge asks students to create a mission to a moon using radioisotope power systems.

Snohomish County Superior Courthouse in Everett, Washington on February 8, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Snohomish County, 7 local governments across US, sue Trump administration

The lawsuit alleges the administration put unlawful conditions on funding that includes $17M to the county for homelessness assistance.

Photo courtesy of Tulalip Resort Casino
The creamy chicken verde enchiladas at World Flavors, located in The Kitchen at Quil Ceda Creek Casino.
A dish to celebrate Cinco de Mayo

The creamy chicken verde enchiladas at World Flavors, located in The Kitchen at Quil Ceda Creek Casino, are a tasty treat year round.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.