BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A judge has ruled that a prospective candidate for Bellingham mayor will not appear on the August primary ballot.

On Tuesday, June 6th, the judge dismissed a motion for an injunction and a signature recount by Joel Johnson.

Johnson had sought a spot on the ballot by collecting over 2,500 signatures, rather than paying a $2,211 filing fee.

Whatcom County Auditor Diana Bradrick determined that only 1,750 of the collected signatures were legitimate.

Johnson alleges that the auditor’s office was negligent in verifying the signatures and says he is considering a lawsuit.

“This is just the beginning because I’m a person of color. I’ve experienced all kinds of mistreatment and unfairness and I’m fed up with it,” said Johnson. “And so, in this particular case I believe that the case has merit and I’m not just going to sit down and shut up. I’m going to speak out.”

Bradrick said many of the rejected signatures were signed by voters who were not registered to vote in Bellingham.

The court decision now allows her office to print the August primary ballots, without Johnson’s name on them.

To listen to the full interview with Joel Johnson, visit our Podcast page.