Hague applauds decision to delay implementation of all-mail voting

Accountability and security more important than meeting arbitrary timetable

Today’s decision by the King County Executive not to pursue a full vote-by-mail election in 2008 was praised by Metropolitan King County Councilmember Jane Hague.

“My compliments to Elections Director Sherri Huff and Executive Sims for placing system accountability and ballot security above an arbitrary timetable,” said Councilmember Hague, who represents District 6.

“As a former manager of King County Elections, I understand how important it is to ensure that every vote counts and that the public has confidence in the reliability and accountability of the system counting their votes,” said Hague. “Rushing into a new system on such a short timeline had the potential to reduce public confidence in our ballot counting process.”

In addition to federal and state certification requirements for new ballot tabulation equipment and software, the Council established a number of conditions that must be met before the County can move to vote-by-mail (VBM). They are:

• A superintendent of Elections must be confirmed by the Council;
• The Council must approve an elections security plan;
• The Council must approve a regional voting center and ballot drop off box plan; and
• Third party testing of the new ballot tabulation equipment.

“This decision fits in with the Council's recent legislation to keep elections focused on its work alone by separating the Elections Section from Records & Licensing,” she added.

According to today's announcement, the Elections Section intends to implement an all vote by mail election in 2009.

“This decision demonstrates a united commitment from King County government to studiously manage the election process so that the foundation of our democracy is protected-our right to vote and to have it counted accurately,” said Hague.