WHEREAS, the United States Constitution and the Washington State Constitution establish the rule of law as the foundation of democratic governance, providing for a separation of powers in which legislatures enact laws, courts interpret them, and executive officials—including law enforcement—are obligated to enforce them; and
WHEREAS, the authority to determine the constitutionality of laws rests exclusively with the judicial branch, and no individual law enforcement officer, including any county sheriff, has lawful authority to unilaterally nullify or refuse to enforce duly enacted state or federal law; and
WHEREAS, the so-called “Constitutional Sheriff” doctrine falsely asserts that sheriffs are the highest constitutional authority within their counties, a claim that is inconsistent with constitutional law, judicial precedent, and Washington State statutes; and
WHEREAS, this doctrine undermines democratic accountability and poses a threat to equal protection under the law by enabling selective enforcement based on personal ideology rather than lawful authority; and
WHEREAS, the promotion of “Constitutional Sheriff” ideology has been linked nationally and within Washington State to extremist movements, anti-democratic organizing, and practices that disproportionately endanger Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ communities, and other marginalized populations.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the 31st LD Democrats unequivocally affirms the rule of law and rejects the “Constitutional Sheriff” doctrine as unconstitutional, unlawful, and incompatible with democratic governance; and that the WSDCC affirms that all law enforcement officials, including county sheriffs, are bound by the United States Constitution, the Washington State Constitution, duly enacted laws, and binding court decisions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 31st LD Democrats opposes any effort by elected or appointed law enforcement officials to selectively enforce, ignore, or nullify laws based on personal, religious, or political ideology; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 31st LD Democrats supports accountability, transparency, and oversight mechanisms to ensure that law enforcement agencies operate in compliance with constitutional norms and civil rights protections; and that the WSDCC calls upon elected Democrats, candidates, and party organizations to publicly repudiate “Constitutional Sheriff” ideology and to affirm their commitment to equal justice, democratic institutions, and the rule of law.
Adopted by SOCAS: The Separation of Church and State Caucus: Sunday, January 18, 2026
Adopted by WA State Democratic Central Committee: Sunday, January 25, 2026
