Sept. 15, 2005

Authored by the Chinese Information and Service Center (CISC)

The 2005 Primary will be held on September 20, and to help voters understand the various election issues and procedures, CISC held a "pre-election workshop" last Saturday featuring a speaker from King County Elections.

After the forum, Alaric Bien, CISC Executive Director noted that while the weather certainly played a part the level of attendance, it also reflected the misconception among many voters that non-Presidential elections are not as important.

But each election is important! Besides the Presidential Election once every four years, there are special elections held in February, March, April and May on local issues and initiatives. In addition, the September primary and the November general elections are for voters to nominate and/or vote on their choice of candidates for the various positions in state, county, and city government. In others words, every election is very important, and every proposition when passed can have a direct impact on the life of a voter.

The offices subject to election in this year's September primary include: County Executive , the reduced County Council Member positions, City of Seattle Mayor and City Council Member positions, Port of Seattle commissioner positions, school board director positions, Court of Appeals judges position and the Seattle Popular Monorail Authority board member positions.

Bien continued that to improve on ballot accountability and address the problems exposed in last year's governor's race, King County has taken the initiative to implement a number of changes. Voters filling out their ballots should read the instructions carefully and thoroughly, and should pay attention to the following:

1. When filling the ovals on a ballot, do not use an "X" or a "√" mark;
2. Only sign one's own ballot, and do not fill out ballots or sign for others. Doing so is subject to prosecution!
3. The signature on the ballot return envelope should match the signature used for voter registration.
4. Family members of registered voters do not have authority to cancel any voters' right to vote. ONLY a signed request from the voter, or a judge, after due process of the law can effect this change.
5. If the ballot is lost, and the voter does not have time to get a replacement ballot from the Elections Office before Election Day, they should bring valid identification to the polls on Election Day and vote with a "provisional ballot".
6. If a voter receives a second ballot due to a change in address or receives a Chinese ballot in addition to an English ballot, they should complete the new/second ballot as the first one is suspended and void. ONLY the second ballot is valid.
7. Note: some improvements have been made with the English ballots in this election, but the changes have not yet been made on the Chinese ballots. The return envelope is still white and not yellow, there is no space for the voter to put their telephone number on the envelope, and holes were not punched in the security and return envelopes as they have been for the English ballots.

If you have questions concerning the above changes, procedural issues, quality of translation or ballot improvements, please call the King County Elections Chinese voter service line at 206-296-1544. If you have difficulty or need assistance in following the voting procedures, CISC may be able to provide you with bilingual guidance and support. Please call 206-624-5633 x 121 and ask for Andes Kong.

Learn more about the Chinese Information and Service Center at www.cisc-seattle.org (external link) or call 206-624-5633.

Updated: Sept. 15, 2005

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