Nov. 2, 2005
Dean Logan statement on Primary mail ballot report
"The Canvassing Board examined the reconciliation process at its September 30 meeting - including a series of detailed reports and spreadsheets detailing the security and accountability of the ballots and noting anomalies. An explanation of how ballots counted is tracked through the tabulation system and how voters are credited was also provided.
The Election Center, which was brought in by the King County Council to audit the Elections section, addressed the issue of voters credited and ballots cast. In their presentation to the Council at the completion of their audit, they explicitly stated that small discrepancies in reconciliation are normal and expected. They said that a discrepancy in these numbers would be common in elections conducted anywhere in the country.
The procedures in place today are tighter than ever and there is no evidence or indication of foul play or additional uncounted ballots. It was in the days following the Primary, during the Sheriff’s recount, that the uncounted ballots were identified. The fact is the system in place is working and we have made vast improvement in the documentation and reporting since the 2004 election. State law requires any discrepancies be reported to the Canvassing Board and that was done.
Following the close gubernatorial election, the 2005 state legislature placed greater emphasis on reconciling ballots counted to voters credited in the voter registration system with voting. It established a reporting process to help ensure transparency in that process. King County followed that process during the 10-day certification process for the primary and fully disclosed the discrepancy.
Additionally, the legislature lengthened the certification period for the General Election to 21 days to allow for more detailed reconciliation processes. We expect the additional time will allow for more precise reconciliation and that is why election administrators around the state have pushed for an earlier primary date to enable a similar certification period for all elections."
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