Island County clerk candidates outline priorities in competitive race

Four candidates were on Island County’s August 4 primary sample ballot for clerk: Toni Adams, Dierdre Butler, Maria Hazelo and Amber Sewell. The winner will oversee the courthouse office in Coupeville that handles records, filings and other paperwork Islanders need when they marry, go to court or request documents. For people in Oak Harbor, Langley, Freeland and South Whidbey, the job shows up in ordinary moments, not just election season.

Island County describes the clerk as an elected office created by the Washington State Constitution, with duties assigned by statute and court rules, and as the record-keeping and financial officer of Superior Court. That makes the next clerk responsible for how quickly files move, how easily the public can reach records and how well the office keeps its paperwork organized. The campaign has centered on customer service, efficiency, transparency and keeping records organized and available, the same standards residents can use to judge the office once ballots are counted.

The office’s reach is easy to see at the marriage license window. Island County says both parties must appear in person at the Auditor’s office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, to complete the process. That makes counter service, staffing and responsiveness immediate measures of whether the clerk’s office is working well for the public. If the office is slow or disorganized, people feel it in wait times and repeat trips; if it is efficient, the difference shows up in a single visit.

The race opened after Debra Van Pelt, the county clerk, announced her retirement effective May 1 in a county document dated April 29. Island County’s candidate filing week ran May 4-8, and Washington Secretary of State guidance said declarations of candidacy were accepted beginning May 4 at 8 a.m. and had to be received by 5 p.m. on May 8. The Voter Interests Project identified Adams and Hazelo as Republicans and Butler and Sewell as Democrats. For voters, the practical test is simple: who can keep court paperwork moving, preserve public records access and make the office responsive when Islanders need it most.