Drafter
Clerk 04/17/2006
Title
AN ORDINANCE establishing the King County citizens' elections oversight committee; and adding a new chapter to K.C.C. Title 2.
Body
PREAMBLE:
1. The proper administration of elections is an essential function of county government in Washington state and is a public trust that must be kept.
2. In July 2003, the council created the King County citizens' elections oversight committee in response to issues in the 2002 general election. The elections oversight committee concluded its work in 2004 by issuing a detailed report with one hundred sixteen recommendations.
3. The council reconvened the elections oversight committee in April 2005, again in response to election issues, and the committee concluded its work in March 2006, issuing a report that identified improvements in elections, areas where improvement is still needed, and making six high-priority recommendations.
3. In both instances, the King County citizens' elections oversight committee has provided invaluable service to county voters and county government, serving for over two years and making important recommendations to improve the conduct of elections.
3. The legislature has enacted several laws during the 2005 and 2006 sessions that have changed how elections are conducted.
4. Elections experts and citizen advisory groups have made numerous recommendations to the council and executive that, if enacted, would significantly change and improve elections operations.
5. King County may consolidate elections operations into a single facility.
6. Given all the mandated and potential changes in elections operations, King County would benefit from the ongoing service of a citizens' election oversight committee to help oversee changes and to advise the council.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Sections 2 through 8 of this ordinance should constitute a new chapter in K.C.C. Title 2.
NEW SECTION. SECTION 2. The King County ...

Click here for full text