Feb. 8, 2006
Executive releases report on all-mail voting
King County Executive Ron Sims released a comprehensive staff report on all-mail voting today and announced that, later this month; he will propose an ordinance and financial plan to conduct all King County elections by mail.
"I asked for this report to ensure that our transition to vote by mail serves both the elections process and the voters of King County," said Sims. "With more than 70% of voter turnout already coming from absentee ballots, we know the time is right to move to an all-mail environment. This report lays out a logical approach and timeframe for getting us there, while ensuring the stability of this year's elections at the same time."
The report, prepared by Records, Elections and Licensing Services Director Dean Logan, suggests adopting an all-mail voting system starting with the 2007 primary. "The implementation plan should be administered as a project," said Logan. "Changes and developments should be phased in throughout the implementation timeframe to allow for troubleshooting, evaluation and adjustment - with final integration at the point of least risk and disruption."
Sims plans to put a project team in place to manage the transition to an all-mail ballot system. Transition activities – including voter outreach and education - will begin immediately. The project team will be comprised of subject matter experts from within the county's Election Section and a consultant team experienced in change management, organizational effectiveness and public relations. The team will be charged with implementing vote by mail as well as a host of other administrative recommendations made during independent reviews of the 2005 election cycle.
In addition to examining options for higher-speed ballot tabulation equipment, mail tracking systems, and changes in staffing requirements, the report suggests an outside evaluation of public response and voting patterns by an academic institution. "An academic study can help us be sure we understand how our administrative practices impact the electorate," Sims said. "It will also document the historical significance of the move to vote by mail."
Although 32 other counties in Washington have either already adopted or are in the process of adopting entirely vote-by-mail systems, King County will be the largest government in the nation to conduct all elections by mail once the change is made. "We will take steps immediately to encourage more voting by mail," said Sims. "At the same time, we need to make sure the systems we must rely on and the vendors we partner with have the capacity and procedures in place to do so securely and efficiently."
Currently, the county is second only to Los Angeles County, California in the number of ballots processed through the mail. More than half a million votes in the November 2005 General Election were cast by mail. The State of Oregon uses an all-mail voting system, with ballots mailed by individual counties; none are as large as King County.
"This initiative represents an important opportunity for our county elections process to be a model for other large-sized jurisdictions across the country," said Sims. "I am pleased to see the emphasis on making sure our elections remain transparent and accountable to the voters."
"The report and the proposal to move forward with all-mail voting are consistent with recommendations of the recent management audit and observation reports by third-party election experts and our Citizens' Election Oversight Committee," added Logan.
The Executive expects to transmit an authorizing ordinance and supplemental funding package adopting the recommendations of the report by the end of February.
