Drafter
Clerk 04/04/2005
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A MOTION directing the executive to undertake actions to improve the conduct of the elections process in King County and supporting election reforms in Washington state.
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WHEREAS, voter confidence in the election process is paramount to maintaining the integrity of our democracy, and
WHEREAS, in the November 2004 general election, the election for governor was the closest in state history, and
WHEREAS, the closeness of the election brought state and county elections procedures under very close public scrutiny, and
WHEREAS, errors in the election process occurred in numerous counties throughout the state, including King County,
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2003, the metropolitan King County council adopted Ordinance 14570 to strengthen the management and oversight of elections by requiring council confirmation of the executive's appointments to the positions of director of the King County records, elections and licensing services division and the superintendent of elections, and
WHEREAS, in March 2003, the King County council hired an elections consultant to conduct an independent review of county elections, and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2003, the council's elections consultant produced a final report for the county council thoroughly reviewing county elections procedures and making recommendations for improving the election process in King County, and
WHEREAS, on July 14, 2003, the county council adopted Ordinance 14711 establishing a King County citizens' election oversight committee to examine procedural issues that had been identified in the 2002 and 2003 elections, to identify the causes of the problems, to review all elections procedures, and to recommend actions for improving the conduct of elections in King County, and
WHEREAS, in May 2004, following one year of diligent work, meeting twice or more each month, the oversight committee issued a one-hundred-fifty-eight-page report that identified and discus...

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