Phillips: Delay of Vote-By-Mail is Responsible Action

Calls for new schedule for 2009 implementation

With time running out for certification of new ballot counting equipment, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips today backed the decision of the County Executive to delay implementation of all-mail voting in King County, and called for a new schedule for the transition to occur in 2009.

“At this time, pulling the plug on the transition to vote-by-mail is the responsible action for King County to take,” said Councilmember Phillips. “I remain a strong advocate of the eventual transition to vote-by-mail as the best way to streamline our election system, however, as I stated in my January 4th letter to Executive Sims, it does not appear King County can confidently move forward with vote-by-mail in 2008. While it is the right thing to do, it is disappointing we couldn’t get this done after our considerable effort.”

Phillips sent a letter to Executive Sims on January 4, 2008, responding to a report on the status of certification of Premier Elections Solutions tabulation system. The report recommended against transitioning to vote-by-mail using existing equipment. That recommendation, coupled with repeated delays in the certification process of the new tabulation equipment, led Phillips to urge King County Elections to delay vote-by-mail until 2009, stating “where accuracy of elections is concerned, we cannot afford to make any mistakes.”

“Now that our self-imposed February 1st certification deadline has passed, it’s time to refocus on preparation for accurately and securely counting what will undoubtedly be a record number of votes this November using our existing equipment and dual mail and polling place system,” said Phillips.

Phillips plans to work with King County Elections, Executive Sims, and his Council colleagues to establish a new schedule for transitioning to vote-by-mail after 2008.

In addition to the required federal and state certification of new ballot tabulation equipment and software, the Metropolitan King County Council established a number of conditions that must be met before the County can move to vote-by-mail. Those conditions include:

• Third party security testing of new ballot tabulation equipment.
• The Council’s approval of a plan for Regional Voting Centers and ballot drop boxes
• Council approval of an elections security plan.
• Appointment and Council confirmation of a superintendent of elections.