EVERETT, AUG. 20: A claim made against Everett City Council candidate Niko Battle regarding his eligibility has forced the city’s legal team to determine how the charter code is interpreted.
The claim
Last month My Everett News published a story covering the three primary candidates running for the District 4 seat in South Everett. During their investigation, they claimed that candidate Niko Battle was ineligible to run for the position.
The article suggests that Battle hasn’t been registered to vote in Snohomish County for the required amount of one year. Claims have also been made that Battle has not been a resident of Everett or the district he is applying for for the necessary amount of time.
According to the Everett Municipal Code Charter, “No person shall be eligible to hold elective office unless he or she shall have been a registered voter and resident of the City for a period of at least one year…” before the election.
According to documents from the Snohomish County Elections office, Battle registered as a Snohomish County voter on May 7, 2025. Battle claims that he has been a resident of Everett for at least a year, he told the Lynnwood Times.
Battle told the Times that he interprets the code as one must be a registered voter at the time of filing, a resident of the city they are running in, for at least a year, and a resident of the district for at least six months.
An additional requirement for running for Everett City Council is being a resident of the district for which they are applying for at least six months before the primary election, which was held on Tuesday, August 5.
Battle and opponent Alan Rubio will both move on to the general election after being the top-voted candidates for District 4 during the primary.
Battle’s platform focuses on emergency personnel staffing, pedestrian safety, inclusive housing policies and preparing for the arrival of Sound Transit.
Battle is endorsed by Snohomish County Council member Meghan Dunn according to Battle’s campaign website. He has raised nearly $12,600 for his campaign.
The Lynnwood Times confirmed Tuesday, Aug. 19 that council member Liz Vogeli rescinded her endorsement for Battle a week prior.
Rubio’s platform focuses on making Everett families feel safer, protecting elder communities, city transparency and affordable housing.
Rubio is endorsed by current city council member Scott Bader and council vice president Ben Zarlingo. He has raised nearly $17,225 for his campaign.
All candidates for District 4 signed a declaration of meeting candidate qualifications sent out by City Attorney David Hall.
The declaration affirms that candidates have been residents of the city for at least a year preceding the election and have been members of District 4 for at least six months prior to Aug. 8.
Battle officially signed the declaration on Tuesday, Aug. 12 according to documents from the city.
At the time of publication, the city’s legal team is still in the process of reviewing how Section 2.2 of the Everett charter code should be interpreted. The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4.
This is an ongoing story.
