Metropolitan King County Council 516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-1000 Toll Free: 800-325-6165 TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024 Fax: 206-296-0198 council@kingcounty.gov
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Nov. 7, 2008 Citizen panel praised for recommendations that paid off with a smooth day at the pollsCitizens’ Elections Oversight Committee helped prevent repeat of 2004The votes are still being tallied, but members of the Metropolitan King County Council today credited the Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee (CEOC) for its work over the past four years to monitor and improve the performance of King County Elections, leading to the smooth and successful processing of ballots for the November general election and avoiding a repeat of issues that arose in 2004.
“Working with recommendations presented by the CEOC and other independent agencies, the Elections Division has conducted 22 successful elections and implemented more than 300 reforms since 2005,” said Council Chair Julia Patterson. “This year, even with record numbers at the polls, the system worked. Everyone involved should be proud of that accomplishment.”
“Citizens should be proud of the dedication and bipartisan common sense approach that the CEOC took towards improving the election process in King County,” said Councilmember Jane Hague. “I am proud to have been the prime sponsor of the legislation that formed the CEOC and I’m pleased to see how it helped the public regain faith in the quality of our elections operation.”
After reviewing the 2004 election and monitoring elections throughout 2005, the CEOC provided the Council in March 2006 with a list of high priority recommendations. Several of those recommendations were in place for the November election, including the consolidation of election facilities, increased security at election sites, and improved voter registration procedures. Another top recommendation, the transition to all-mail voting, will occur in 2009.
“The Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee members, along with Elections staff, are the unsung heroes in the dramatic turnaround of King County’s election process,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “Voter confidence is crucial to our democracy, and the citizens committee members worked as partners with the Council, identifying key areas to improve the security, transparency, and accuracy of King County’s vote counting.”
“In the past four years, we have refocused our elections system on counting votes like banks count money, with accuracy, security and reconciliation,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “We worked with the Elections Center to bring in experts, and we worked carefully with the Citizens Elections Advisory Committee to make more than 300 changes. We have managed the last 22 elections with excellent reconciliation. Our new elections facility in Renton provides even greater security. With voter turnout at more than 80 percent in the general election, we have passed this test with an A.”
“Fair, well-run elections are the cornerstone of American democracy and the recommendations of the Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee helped ensure that every citizen’s vote is counted,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine. “I look forward to the continued efforts of the CEOC in helping King County make the transition to vote-by-mail elections next year.”
“I want to applaud the Elections Division for their work on implementing the important recommendations of the CEOC,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett. “Their efforts ensured the smooth operation of this election.”
The King County Council created the CEOC in 2003 to oversee elections and make recommendations to improve the performance and accountability of the King County Elections Division. The Council made the CEOC a permanent, ongoing committee in 2006.
The 13 members of the CEOC are appointed by the County Council and represent specific constituencies:
• Evelyn Arnold—Washington State Auditor’s Association
• Ross Marzolf of Seattle—registered voter
• A.J. Culver of Bellevue—Municipal League of King County
• Paul Guppy of Seattle—Washington Policy Center, representing independent research and policy institutes
• Ellen Hansen of Seattle—registered voter
• Frank Radford of Kirkland—Finn Hill Park and Recreation District, representing King County junior taxing districts
• Sheryl Moss—Washington Secretary of State’s Office
• Emily Willoughby of Tukwila—King County Democratic Party
• James Rigby of Seattle—Washington State Republican Party
• Michael A. Snyder of Seattle—Washington State Democratic Party
• Marilyn Knight of Kirkland—League of Women Voters
• Monica Tracey of Seattle—King County Republican Party
The position representing the Chinese-speaking community is currently vacant but will be filled.
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