Source: Seattle Times
“The former chair of the Island County Republican Party refused to wear a mask while observing ballot counting during the 2024 presidential election. Now, an Island County jury has found him guilty of a felony. This month, jurors convicted Timothy Hazelo of unauthorized access to an election office or ballot-counting area and first-degree criminal trespassing. Island County Auditor Sheilah Crider had instituted a mask policy for vote counters and observers, because of a COVID-19 outbreak in August 2024, according to court documents. … Hazelo, an outspoken opponent of mask mandates who ran for U.S. House in 2020, showed up mask-free. Two local law enforcement officers responded. Hazelo told officers he would not leave unless he received a citation, according to a civil complaint filed by one of Hazelo’s lawyers, Austin Hatcher. The officers escorted him from the building and cited him.” (07/22/25)