Editor’s Note: Story updated on 8/30/2025 to correct the spelling of Jon Mutchler’s name. MBN regrets the error.
FERNDALE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A candidate for the Ferndale City Council will remain on the November ballot even though his voter registration has been deemed invalid.

The Whatcom County Canvassing Board ruled on Monday, Aug. 25 that the address listed on Steven Potvin’s voter registration is not his true residential address.

Potvin is the only candidate running against incumbent council member Jon Mutchler for Position 7 on Ferndale’s city council.

The address Potvin listed is the karate studio he owns in Ferndale, while the Canvassing Board ruled that his true residential address lies outside of city limits.

Potvin’s argument centered around his claim that staying overnight at his studio at least once a week constituted the property as a residence for the purposes of voter registration.

Still, the board ordered Potvin to change the address listed on his voter registration, or else it will be cancelled.

Potvin tells My Bellingham Now that he plans to appeal the decision.

But Whatcom County Auditor Stacy Henthorn says state law requires someone to file a court order in order to actually remove a candidate’s name from the ballot.

Norman Stewart, the Ferndale resident who challenged Potvin’s registration, says he doesn’t plan to carry the case to Whatcom County Superior Court.

He says he will consider formally challenging if Potvin wins the election in November.

According to its website, the Whatcom County Canvassing Board is an impartial 3-member body that determines the official returns and prepares the certification for a primary or election, and presides over any voter registration challenges.