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Reed proposes statewide mandates to restore public trust |
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News Release
Issued: January 06, 2005
Following one of the closest gubernatorial races in American history, two recounts, and a whirlwind of election charges and counter-charges, Secretary of State Sam Reed today announced a reform package to restore public trust.
"The harsh reality is this: as long as human beings vote and human beings count votes human beings will make mistakes," warned Reed. "That’s the nature of the beast. But some of the mistakes made during the 2004 election cycle are simply unacceptable. We’ve learned hard lessons. Now, the 2005 Legislature should ensure we do something about it."
Reed clarified that there is no single solution to address the controversy surrounding the Rossi-Gregoire contest, and that the problems all centered on just 15 ten-thousandths of one percent of the gubernatorial vote.
"That perspective is critical, because Washington has a strong record in election administration but we must do better," said Reed.
To restore public trust, Reed proposes:
- The 2005 Legislature prohibit third parties from collecting or returning absentee and/or provisional ballot signature affidavits.
"To have partisans on the hunt for select votes is a dangerous precedent that will erode public confidence," said Reed. "That is a job for election workers to ensure that every ballot is counted and that people trust the results."
Further, under Reed's proposals:
- Election workers must, in writing, notify voters whose ballot signatures are missing or questionable. At the same time, they must ask those voters to submit their signatures no later than the day before the election is certified;
- Absentee ballots and provisional ballots with missing or mismatching signatures are treated the same and specific standards for signatures are set to better define a "match".
Reed proposes to strengthen the recount process and the role of canvassing boards by:
- Ensuring that only Canvassing Boards, (no other, delegated authority), reject ballots;
- Clarifying that re-canvassing an election is to address election worker error, not voter mistakes;
- Requiring election contests to be filed in court within ten days of final certification;
- And, requiring all Canvassing Boards to announce recount results on the same day.
In his 2005 election reform package, Reed proposes more reviews of counties and additional training by:
- Requesting funding to allow the Secretary of State to conduct an election review of 13 counties each year; the entire state would then be reviewed every three years;
- Providing additional funding for the state’s Certification and Training Program to improve and expand training (particularly training on signature verification).
One of Reed’s most dramatic proposals is to move up the date of the primary to the third Tuesday in June. This scheduling change will give election workers more time to address close races and recounts, to send and receive ballots from military and overseas voters earlier, and to prepare for the General Election. Most importantly, more time will reduce the human error rate and give the Office of the Secretary of State time to review counties and address any problems that surface before the General Election.
"I have long said our September Primary is a train wreck waiting to happen," said Reed. "Now is the time to take action and avoid one."
Finally, Secretary Reed proposes absentee ballots be postmarked by the Friday before the election or received by the close of Election Day.
"Failing to follow even the most minor procedures can shake public trust," said Reed. "I’m calling on our Legislature, our next Governor, our Attorney General and our County Elected officials to move swiftly and adopt these bold measures. Together, we can ensure citizens will have confidence in the integrity of Washington elections."
