A legal challenge to Washington State's new sheriff eligibility law — which includes a contested oath requirement — has been transferred to Thurston County Superior Court, where a parallel case is already pending. Lincoln County Superior Court Judge Adam Walser declined to rule on the merits or grant an emergency injunction, siding with the state's position on venue. A key hearing is scheduled for May. The law in question imposes eligibility conditions on elected sheriffs, including what challengers characterize as a loyalty oath. Critics argue the requirement conflicts with constitutional protections for elected officials. The consolidation in Thurston County suggests the court system is treating the two cases as raising substantially overlapping questions.
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Media Coverage · April 19, 2026
A Lincoln County judge refused to block Washington's new sheriff eligibility law and shipped the case to Thurston County, where a parallel challenge is already pending. Judge Adam Walser declined to issue an emergency injunction, found no emergency warranting immediate relief, and ordered consolidation to prevent conflicting rulings across the state. The plaintiffs leave Lincoln County with nothing — no ruling on
newspaper Read articleWA sheriff ‘loyalty oath’ law challenge moved to Thurston County ahead of key May hearing This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com A legal challenge to Washington’s new sheriff eligibility law, including a controversial oath requirement, is being moved to Thurston County, where a similar case is already underway. Judge Adam Walser of Lincoln County Superior Court declined Thursday to rule on the merits of the case or issue an emergency injunction, instead siding with the state and
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A Lincoln County judge refused to block Washington's new sheriff eligibility law and shipped the case to Thurston County, where a parallel challenge is already pending. Judge Adam Walser declined to issue an emergency injunction, found no emergency warranting immediate relief, and ordered consolidation to prevent conflicting rulings across the state. The plaintiffs leave Lincoln County with nothing — no ruling on the merits, no injunction — and now face a May hearing in a different court.
WA sheriff ‘loyalty oath’ law challenge moved to Thurston County ahead of key May hearing This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com A legal challenge to Washington’s new sheriff eligibility …
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