The Pierce County Commission voted last week to rescind a part of an earlier motion to conduct a special election to ask voters whether the offices of Clerk of Court and County Recorder should be elected or appointed. The action was made at the commission’s special meeting on Nov. 23.

The timing of a special election and costs were factors in the decision. It would be impossible for the commission to hold an election before the end of the year. An election would be necessary before January since residents interested in running for the two offices could begin circulating petitions to run for office beginning in January.

The costs of an election would also be around $6,500, according to Karin Fursather, county auditor.

The commission, however, did leave the door open to pose the question to voters at a regular election in the future. An advisory vote would only give the commission an indication of how residents view the issue of elected or appointed positions fro the Clerk of Court and County Recorder. The vote outcome would not mandate the governing board to take action one way or another.

At a meeting on Nov. 17, the commission voted 4-1 to a resolution to make the Clerk of Court and County Recorder appointed positions. That decision came following comments from a group of residents who favored keeping the offices elected.

As a result, the positions will be on the ballot next year in the county election.