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Washington Responds to Bush v. Gore |
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News Release
Issued: March 13, 2002
In light of one of the most contested races for political office in American history, Washington State is clarifying what constitutes a vote. The Secretary of State’s Office has adopted new rules to help determine voter intent on questionable ballots. The rules are the result of the 2000 General Election and Bush v. Gore, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that followed.
"In Bush v. Gore, the Court essentially held states must use consistent standards when they're trying to figure out what a voter intended to do," said Secretary of State Sam Reed. "I don't believe the Florida controversy could have ever happened in Washington State. Our elections systems are different. Our procedures are different. But there are lessons to be learned and we have a responsibility to Washington voters to improve."
Washington has adopted the series of new rules to create consistent standards for all canvassing boards (groups charged with determining voter intent) in the state. Among other things, the rules would:
- Determine how ballots must be counted when voter intent is questioned.
- Define a "valid" punch-card vote.
- Determine how absentee ballots must be corrected statewide.
- Determine how special and physically damaged ballots must be handled.
"Many of these rules may have seemed unnecessary to the average person prior to Bush v. Gore," said Reed. "But the court case spread awareness across the country that in elections, the small stuff matters. The small stuff can even determine a race."
Before adopting the new standards, the Secretary of State's Office created a task force of County Auditors and election administrators and held public hearings to come up with the most effective and appropriate criteria for all Washington counties.
