Auditor Defends Role in Residency Challenge | Seattle News

Franklin County’s auditor is defending himself against accusations he helped steer a voter challenge against State Senator Nikki Torres, insisting he only pointed challengers to public tools for verifying residency—not giving legal advice. The controversy erupted after a challenger claimed Torres doesn’t legally reside in her district, sparking an investigation into alleged surveillance of her home that led to an arrest for stalking. Torres’s family says their privacy was invaded, while her opponent’s backers question her residency, calling her a “carpetbagger.” The case has ignited statewide debate over how fiercely candidates are scrutinized on residency. A canvassing board—where the auditor will serve—will now decide whether the challenger meets the high bar of proof required to overturn Torres’s registration, with the outcome potentially reshaping the election’s outcome. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2502e6611f11cd8a