Hill, a fringe candidate who lately hasn’t been allowed into Tacoma City Council meetings without first being frisked by police, had his voting rights restored this week after losing them because of a felony forgery conviction in June.

Pierce County prosecutors filed paperwork earlier this month seeking to have Hill’s name removed from the general election ballot. To hold office, a candidate must be a registered voter.

But Hill paid his $1,000 fine for scribbling a judge’s name on an order of protection and on Monday was given the all-clear to reregister to vote. County Auditor Pat McCarthy personally handed him his new voter card, he announced in a news release.

“I don’t intend, and I have no desire to catch any more felony beefs this year,” it said. (He was arrested Tuesday night, however, on suspicion of driving without a valid license, a misdemeanor.)

It was not immediately clear whether the county will continue with its court action to have Hill removed from the ballot now that he is once again registered to vote. The prosecutor assigned to the case was out of the office this week and could not be reached for comment.

“Ostensibly, he’s still a viable candidate unless someone deems that he is not,” McCarthy told The News Tribune.

Last week, Hill was ejected from the City Council meeting for pretending to phone in his remarks during the public comment period. This week, he spoke without incident and even managed to work in several subtle jabs at the offcialdom.

Speaking against an ordinance to give City Manager Eric Anderson a 3.72 percent pay raise, Hill recommended he instead get passes to local museums and theaters.

“You can make him a season ticket holder and invest him with ownership,” Hill said, using a term Mayor Bill Baarsma has applied to Hill and others who regularly hold forth during the public comment period.

Hill also managed to sneak in a reference to his newly restored rights, holding up his registration while reminding the council he was a taxpayer and a voter.

Not long after the meeting, Hill was pulled over in the North End near North 24th and Proctor streets. An officer recognized him and knew he didn’t have a valid driver’s license, police spokesman Mark Fulghum said.

Hill was arrested, booked into the Pierce County Jail about 6:45 p.m. and released a short time later.

City and county officials have said Hill’s antics have escalated to the point where public safety has become a concern. Recent incidents include Hill bringing fake guns and holsters to public meetings and stripping down to his shorts or underwear and sitting in such a way that he exposed himself to a council member on the dais.

New financial disclosure forms shed little light on Hill’s candidacy. He scrawled “INDIGENT!” over some of the questions and lists no source of income, including employment and government benefits.

Hill, who also is running for precinct committee officer, told The News Tribune this week he was in the race to win, despite the likelihood of a victory by the county’s current sheriff, Paul Pastor.

“I have unique qualifications,” Hill said. “I’ve had a lot of contact and experience with the other side of the system and know what needs to be fixed.”

Ian Demsky: 253-597-8872

blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime