Jennifer Rancourt is running for Snohomish County District Court Judge, Cascade Division, Position 1, in the Nov. 3, 2026 Washington general election. Rancourt has held the seat since 2019, according to BallotReady profile data.
The race is nonpartisan.
Rancourt is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.
Candidate information
Education: Bachelor's degree in political science and economics, Western Washington University, 1997. J.D., University of Washington, 2000.
Bar memberships: Washington State Bar Association, member since 2000. Tulalip Tribal Court Bar, member since 2016. Washington Defender Association, member since 2010. District and Municipal Court Judges Association, member. All memberships claimed by the candidate in a 2021 Snohomish County Democrats endorsement questionnaire.
Endorsements: Snohomish County Democrats and National Women's Political Caucus of Washington, as claimed by those organizations.
Experience and public service
Rancourt worked as a trial attorney at the Snohomish County Public Defender Association from 2001 to 2018, according to BallotReady profile data. During that time she served as supervising attorney for the misdemeanor unit from 2005 to 2006 and supervising attorney for the juvenile unit from 2008 to 2009.
She served as a pro tem judge at Everett and Marysville Municipal Courts from 2009 to 2019, according to BallotReady profile data. She also worked as a defense services auditor for the cities of Mount Vernon and Burlington from 2017 to 2018.
Before law school, Rancourt worked as a legal clerk at the Law Offices of A. Stephen Anderson from 1989 to 1999, according to BallotReady profile data. After earning her law degree, she served as a law clerk and bailiff to Judge Gerald Knight at Snohomish County Superior Court from 2000 to 2001.
The National Women's Political Caucus of Washington lists Rancourt as presiding judge at Snohomish County District Court and dean at Washington State Judicial College. Rancourt said in her 2021 endorsement questionnaire that she served as chair of the Washington State Clemency and Pardons Board from 2012 to 2018.
On the issues
Pretrial reform: Rancourt presided over the county's first pretrial services program, which the National Women's Political Caucus of Washington said aims to reduce both incarceration and recidivism rates through targeted services.
Access to justice: Rancourt said in her 2021 endorsement questionnaire that poverty is the primary barrier to access to justice. She said language barriers and cultural differences are also significant barriers. Courts must continue to improve access through technology, interpreter services, accessible forms and support of legal services, Rancourt said. She added that judges are in the best position to advocate for adequate funding of public defense to reduce public defender caseloads.
Rancourt helped create and presides over the county's relicensing program, which has helped over 100 individuals overcome obstacles to relicensing, according to the National Women's Political Caucus of Washington. The program addresses the disparate impact of fines and license suspensions on those unable to pay, the organization said.
Bail reform: Rancourt said in her 2021 endorsement questionnaire that optimal bail reform would balance the need to protect the community with the rights of the accused. She said it should create an equitable system in which bail protected the community and ensured individuals appeared for court dates without disparate impact on those without financial means.
