Why Garth?
Garth has been your Snohomish County Auditor since 2020.
In his first term in office, Garth led the Auditor's Office through the challenges of the COVID pandemic and recovery efforts, keeping the critical, essential services of the Auditor’s Office open and available to the public. Under his leadership, direction and support, the Auditor's Office has:
- conducted accurate, safe and transparent elections that have withstood intense public review, including the 2020 presidential election
- secured funding and support to enhance the security of our elections system
- implemented a new recording system with expanded online tools, that provide critical services to homeowners and real estate professionals
- increased the number of ballot drop boxes throughout Snohomish County
- developed audit standards in coordination with the Washington State Department of Licensing
- performed yearly audits of our county’s licensing subagents to ensure they are serving the public well
- worked with county prosecutors to hold irresponsible animal owners accountable, protecting both animals and residents
- expanded outreach and education efforts through social media and other activities
- developed a language access plan to better serve our growingly diverse Snohomish County community
Garth also ensures that Snohomish County is at the table in national and statewide discussions that impact Snohomish County residents. Garth serves on the:
- U.S. Elections Assistance Commission Local Leadership Council, as one of two representatives from Washington State
- Washington State's Recording Standards Commission, where he leads the Document Rejections Standards workgroup
- Washington State Association of County Auditors, as a member and co-chair of the Elections Committee
- VoteWA Executive Steering Committee
A county auditor’s job requires strong management, administrative and leadership skills. Garth’s experience and skills include managing county elections for 24 years (15 of which have been in Snohomish County); managing county recording functions for 7 years; serving on the Auditor’s Office leadership team for 15 years; being a nationally certified Elections Registration Administrator since 2008 and a state certified Elections Administrator since 2000; having administered over 90 elections including six Presidential Elections, numerous Primaries, local elections and recounts; providing leadership and direction to the Auditor’s Office as the elected, county auditor since 2020.
As county auditor, Garth leads a team of 46 county employees who provide vital government services to our community in elections, recording, licensing, and animal care and control. Garth is a dedicated, careful steward of public funds and is responsible for overseeing taxpayer supported budgets between $10 to $14 million annually. He believes the county auditor best serves the public through non-partisan leadership and strongly commits to that philosophy.
Garth is a graduate of the University of Washington, is a member of the Rotary Club of Everett, has coached youth basketball, and volunteers regularly for a low-income food program through his local church.
Garth enjoys music and watching college basketball. You can often find him hiking the trails off the Mountain Loop with his wife and three adult children. A long-time county resident, Garth lives in Edmonds.