SPOKANE, Wash. — Alejandro Barrientos’ eligibility to run for Spokane City Council is being legally challenged, just 8 days before Election Day.
Elaine Rosato tells 4 News Now that she and two others filed a complaint in superior court this morning, arguing Barrientos hasn’t lived in District 2 for enough time to qualify as its representative.
It’s a story we brought you on Friday, and was first reported by RANGE.
The Spokane City Charter states that candidates must be qualified voters who have lived in both the city and the district they are running for during the year immediately preceding the filing deadline.
Barrientos filed his candidacy in 2025, meaning he needed to have lived in District 2 for the entire year prior.
Last week, RANGE Media obtained divorce documents that show Barrientos and his wife lived in separate homes during that period.
We spoke with the candidate last week regarding this matter. Barrientos said the divorce papers don’t tell the complete story of his living situation.
“We had a plan in mind that, necessarily didn’t work,” Barrientos said. “For the best interests of our kids, and, you know, the time frame of me finding a stable home for our kids. We just kind of went with that instead of me moving out.”
During that year, Barrientos said he lived on the South Hill in District 2, but acknowledged spending some nights elsewhere.
“I did stay downtown maybe a handful of times, during that time period. And with my brother, because I was going through a divorce,” Barrientos said.
Barrientos remains eligible to hold office unless a judge decides he is not qualified.
The Spokane County Elections Office said it will count every vote unless a judge orders them not to.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve been through this,” said Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton. “So, there have been many challenges to a candidate’s residency over the years. And so, our Superior Court is very well-versed in what they need to do and when they need to do it.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, Barrientos is still eligible to run. Dalton said voters should cast their votes accordingly and let the judicial system decide the outcome.
“I have every faith in our judicial system that they will address this situation quickly,” she said.
Should the judge find him eligible, those votes will be included in the tally. A decision declaring him ineligible before Election Day could lead the court to order the elections office not to tabulate his votes.
If that ruling comes after Election Day — and a Barrientos victory — it could result in the court directing the elections office not to certify him as the winner.
On Monday evening, Barrientos released a statement in response to the complaint filed against him, reading in part:
“This is an attempt to weaponize a painful period for my family for political gain. We do not know who is paying for this attack because they are hiding behind a law firm – but it is clear they are fearful the citizens of District 2 will reject the failed policies that have let down the people of Spokane. Make no mistake: I am a resident of District 2 and I look forward to representing my neighbors on the City Council.”
You can read his full statement by clicking HERE.
As of Tuesday evening, only 21% of District 2 ballots have been returned.
A court date for this legal challenge was originally set for October 30, but on Tuesday afternoon, Barrientos’ attorney told 4 News Now the court date was canceled.
4 News Now confirmed the hearing was removed from the court docket.
Barrientos’ attorney said the complaint which launched the legal challenge needed to be filed months ago, so it is actually not valid.
The plaintiffs’ attorney told 4 News Now they are filing an amendment, and that they expect the case will move forward.
This is a developing story.
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