Sheriff
Spokane County, Washington
My vote power
Below average
Election date
August 4, 2026 · Primary election
How do we calculate my vote power?
What goes into the rating: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. Decisiveness: how likely this race is to be close, based on past results or current analyst ratings, plus the number of candidates.
Representation: Normal · 62 out of 100
This district covers a large share of its state, so each vote carries about average weight — like a vote in a statewide race. About 549,056 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(7,816,116 ÷ 549,056) ÷ ln(50,000) = 62.27, measured against a statewide vote in WA (grades: 66+ high, 33+ normal, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Normal representation + an uncontested race → My vote power: Below average.
About this office
- Running police patrols and deputies in the county
- Running the county jail
- Carrying out evictions, warrants, and other court orders
Affects: Immigration, Public Safety and Crime Control, Gun Control,
Candidates
Republican · Incumbent · declared
John F. Nowels serves as Spokane County Sheriff. He has worked in the Sheriff's Office for more than 28 years, including prior service as Undersheriff and in multiple command roles, and holds degrees in criminal justice and organizational leadership.
Records: Civil Rights 2 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 2 for, Data Privacy 1 against
Source: voter.votewa.gov