File #: 2004-0368    Version:
Type: Motion Status: Passed
File created: 7/26/2004 In control: Labor, Operations and Technology Committee
On agenda: 8/30/2004 Final action: 8/30/2004
Enactment date: Enactment #: 11987
Title: A MOTION adopting a work plan to implement recommendations of the King County citizens' election oversight committee.
Sponsors: Julia Patterson
Indexes: Elections, Records and Elections
Attachments: 1. Motion 11987.pdf, 2. 2004-0368 Rev Staff Report.doc, 3. 2004-0368 Staff Report, 4. A. Elections Work Plan, July 22, 2004
Drafter
Clerk 07/29/2004
Title
A MOTION adopting a work plan to implement recommendations of the King County citizens' election oversight committee.
Body
WHEREAS, public trust and confidence in our electoral process is of paramount importance, and
WHEREAS, the administration of elections is recognized as a core function of county government, and
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the historically close presidential election in 2000, national concern for the integrity of elections increased significantly, and
WHEREAS, delays in the mailing of absentee ballots in the 2002 reneral election and similar issues in special elections held in 2003 caused further public concern in King County, and
WHEREAS, these events undermined public confidence in the electoral process, and
WHEREAS, the King County executive and the metropolitan King County council asked the office of the Secretary of State to review King County election procedures and report findings regarding election problems and made recommendations for improvements, and
WHEREAS, the metropolitan King County council hired an independent consultant to critique the county's election procedures and make recommendations for improvements, and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan King County Council passed Ordinance 14711 creating the King County citizens' elections oversight committee with the charge to examine county elections practices and procedures and to make recommendations for improvements, and
WHEREAS, the executive has appointed and the council has confirmed a new manager of records, elections and licensing services and a new superintendent of elections, and
WHEREAS, the manager and the superintendent have worked diligently to implement the majority of recommendations made by the office of the Secretary of State, the council's consultant and the citizens' elections oversight committee, and
WHEREAS, there remain recommendations that require further study, require changes in state law, require new...

Click here for full text