Elected Sheriffs, Unelected Removal — New Law Explained

Elected Sheriffs, Unelected Removal — New Law Explained

Apr 7, 2026

At 1:20 a.m., on March 6, after nearly eight hours of heated debate with House Republicans, Democrats passed Senate Bill 5974, which allows an unelected state board to effectively remove a sheriff from office in Washington state.

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law on April 1.