Niko Battles Web of Lies Caught Up to Him City Council Candidate Declared Ineligible

Niko Battle's candidacy for the Everett City Council District 4 position has come under scrutiny after he was declared ineligible due to voter registration and residency discrepancies. His registration, dated May 7, 2025, did not satisfy the required one-year voter registration or six-month residency in the district. Following the investigation, council members Liz Vogeli and Paula Rhyne retracted their endorsements, citing their own research. Battle's former treasurer, Jacob Read, filed a complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission, alleging several violations including financial misconduct and lack of transparency. Although Battle claimed the information was misinformation, he did not provide any corrections or clarifications when prompted.

A residency challenge from John Dimas led to court hearings that revealed conflicting information regarding Battle's living situation. Dimas presented documentation that included statements from property managers and background checks indicating Battle's ineligibility. The legal proceedings underscored the serious implications of residency requirements for candidates, particularly as the primary election approached.