Voters Denied a Voice in the Woods

Application was renewed before Judge Lichtenberg for a mandamus compelling the King County commissioners to create two election precincts in the northeastern part of the county. William Harding, who applies for the writ, alleges that on October 5, the county commissioners promised petitioners from the northeastern part of the county that they would create two election precincts in the vicinity, and told them to go home and tell their neighbors to prepare to vote at the coming election. Harding states that relying upon said promise, the representatives of the petitioners left Seattle and departed for their homes. He argues there is a large number of voters in the territory which was to be allotted to the Stevens City precinct, and that unless said precinct is immediately established, said voters will be deprived of the right of franchise at the election. He further alleges that the board of county commissioners has adjourned and will not again meet until the first Monday in November, and that the petitioner is without remedy except by a writ of mandamus requiring said board to establish said Stevens City precinct.