In Pierce County, the position is appointed. Ultimately, residents care far less whether the county sheriff is a member of a certain party than whether the sheriff can stop the loud parties next door. This is true for most positions in county government. Residents don't care whether their assessments are prepared by a Democrat or a Republican they just want a county assessor who will apply the law uniformly. Residents care more about getting an accurate tax bill than what party affiliation the treasurer has.
Judges are nonpartisan elected officials.
And the county auditor absolutely should be nonpartisan because that position handles elections at the local level. Party labels may only matter for county commissioners, who serve a legislative function and are elected at large. Sheriffs, as well as most, if not all, county offices, should be nonpartisan. Skagit Valley Herald Stop subsidizing drivers education Ten years ago, the Legislature made an admirable attempt to junk the state's subsidy for drivers education. Parents slammed on the brakes.