San Juan County Fire District 3 Commissioners Request Annexation Election Postponement

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA – San Juan Island County Fire District #3 Commissioners joined the Town of Friday Harbor requesting postponement of the scheduled April 28, 2020 election asking voters to annex the Town into the Fire District.

Fire District #3 Commissioners requested the postponement due to the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The scheduled election contained two questions – asking Town voters to annex into the Fire District and asking District residents to approve the annexation.

“We recognize the high level of anxiety and needed focus on the COVID-19 crisis. There is an unprecedented amount of financial uncertainty for many of our residents making the timing of the election inappropriate. It’s the right thing to do,” said Chair Bob Jarman.

While Governor Inslee issued a “Stay at Home” order on March 23, scheduled special elections throughout the state were not cancelled by the Governor’s order or separately by the Secretary of State. The annexation vote was the only scheduled item for the April 28 special election. Postponement of the election helps keep election staff safe while saving San Juan County money in posting and processing the election.

“While annexation of the Town into Fire District #3 is the next step in the integration process bringing San Juan Island EMS into San Juan Island Fire and Rescue, we need to move forward with an election at a time that maximizes voter participation,” said SJIF&R Chief Norvin Collins.

Chief Collins added, “During this unprecedented health crisis, we are focused on the islands we serve, and we are working directly with our neighboring islands to protect San Juan County.”

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