Port's Dahl launches write-in

Anybody can make a mistake.

But it shouldn’t mean losing your position as an elected official.

“We misread the deadline (for registering for the ballot) in returning from a vacation trip,” said Kevin Dahl, son of long-time now-sitting Port-of-Silverdale commissioner, Harold Dahl. “As a result, (my Dad) missed out being on the regular (published) ballot.”

This doesn’t mean Harold Dahl can’t be re-elected. It only means he’s now forced to be a write-in candidate — a much more difficult route to office.

“He (Harold Dahl) came in and filed for a ‘Write-in Campaign,’” said Suzanne Boltz, assistant election manager in the county auditor’s office. “When he files that form, it means we can tally virtually anything that even resembles his name on the ballot — even if they spell his last name ‘Doll’ instead of Dahl.”

It enhances a write-in candidate’s chances. But with a write in, there’s no mention or picture of the candidate in the Voters’ Pamphlet. The write-in candidate has to get the word out one voter at a time, or give notice of the error in the newspaper, and hope enough people read it or hear of it, said election officials.

Currently, the Voters’ Pamphlet contains only one individual for the six-year position on the three-member board: Scott Youngren, who was supposed to appear in the pamphlet as Dahl’s challenger.

“It’s nobody’s fault but my own,” said Harold Dahl Monday. “My grandson got married in Yakima ... we were late in getting back. I guess I’ve got too much on my plate these days.”

The 69-year-old has been on the port commission 18 years or three terms.

“I’ve got no excuse. I dropped the ball.”

He said he still hopes to reach enough voters to achieve a write-in win.

The Port of Silverdale has 10,000 registered voters, said Boltz. It is currently working on more moorage for boats (there’s room for about 30 now) and a new rest room for Waterfront Park. The port oversees the moorage, dock and boat launch, but not the park itself, said Theresa Heider, port auditor.

The port also owns property in Old Town Silverdale it rents out to businesses for income.

State law allows ports to oversee maritime shipping facilities, rail and water transfer facilities, build and operate airports, establish industrial parks, trade centers, develop economic development programs and promote tourism.

Hank Mann-Sykes, silverdale political activist, said the Dahls are a third generation silverdale business family.

“He’s a community leader current Silverdale Port Commissioner for District 3 ... Harold has done a great job in representing his district.”

Mann Sykes said it’d be a shame to lose Dahl due to an error in timing.

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