John Ley, Republican candidate for state representative in the 18th Legislative District, can continue to run for office based on his voter registration using a Hazel Dell address.
Today, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey dismissed a Sept. 16 voter registration challenge filed against Ley by Democratic activist Geoffrey Munson.
Munson had alleged that Ley is not properly registered to vote in the 18th District, which stretches from Hazel Dell to Battle Ground, because he lives in Camas.
Kimsey conducted a hearing Oct. 3. Ley provided additional documents both during and after the hearing. Given the new materials, Munson was given the opportunity to postpone the hearing, but he declined. He presented one document to Kimsey after the hearing. Kimsey said he considered all documents as he made his decision.
The burden of proof was on Munson, the challenger, to demonstrate through “clear and convincing evidence that Mr. Ley was not properly registered to vote” at the Hazel Dell address, Kimsey wrote. He decided that Munson did not meet that burden of evidence.
Munson said he visited Ley’s Hazel Dell apartment and could tell the place was vacant and unfurnished. He provided photographs. But Kimsey said those claims lacked specific dates and times, and that photographs were not conclusive.
Ley provided documentation including a rental lease, driver’s license, credit cards and utility account, all registered to the Hazel Dell address, as well as a signed statement, under penalty of perjury, that he regularly eats and sleeps at that location.
Ley and his attorney, Angus Lee, have maintained that Munson’s challenge was a political move. Ley easily defeated his Republican rival to place second in August’s primary election, getting 16,590 votes, after Democrat John Zingale, who won 20,641 votes.
Munson can seek review of Kimsey’s decision in Superior Court, Kimsey’s statement says.
Ley is still fighting felony election fraud charges related to an unsuccessful 2022 run for a seat in the same district.
He is accused of providing false information for voter registration, using the same Hazel Dell address Munson challenged, on a declaration of candidacy. He pleaded not guilty in Clark County Superior Court in November. His trial was set for April, but it was rescheduled for this month.
