Sept. 22, 2005
County continues its efforts to
ensure every vote is counted
 King County is continuing to contact absentee and provisional voters whose ballots had a signature problem or who submitted unsigned ballots -- giving them a chance to update their signatures so their vote can be counted. The process began before Election Day and will continue through Sept. 29 the last possible day before the election is closed and certified by the canvassing board.
"We are making every effort to ensure each legally cast ballot is counted," said Dean Logan, Director of Records, Elections and Licensing Services. "If someone's ballot signature does not match the signature we have on our voter registration file, we are making three attempts to contact them by telephone and sending them a letter requesting that they update their signature. If they do that by September 29 (the day before certification) and we can match the signature to the ballot; the ballot will be counted."
Voters contacted by King County must act quickly to ensure their votes are counted. They can do so by signing and completing the voter oath and signature update form enclosed with the letter notifying them of the signature discrepancy – or they can come to the Elections Office downtown to complete and sign the forms.
"As of today, we have 2,307 absentee ballots with signatures that don't match what we have on file and 761 unsigned absentee ballots." said Logan. "We're sending letters and calling these voters to notify them that we need their help ensuring their vote is counted accurately."
Efforts to reach voters whose signatures don't match doubled this year following new legislation requiring election officials to make every effort to contact voters by phone and mail.
"Unless voters respond quickly, there is a chance their vote will not be counted," said Logan. "Under state law the signature on an absentee ballot envelope must match their registration record."
Logan went on to urge voters to be alert to mail or phone calls from King County and respond promptly so every vote can be counted.
Voters who cast a provisional ballot on Election Day can check the status of their ballot online beginning Friday, September 23.
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