$4.7 million in federal grant to improve ballot accountability and ballot reconciliation- King County

Aug. 15, 2006

$4.7 million in federal grant to improve ballot accountability and ballot reconciliation

More improvements to King County elections are possible thanks to a $4.7 million federal grant earmarked to enhance ballot accountability, upgrade vote counting equipment, and improve election planning.

“Funding for this equipment represents a great leap forward for King County Elections,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “As the second largest jurisdiction in the nation to process absentee ballots, it is essential we have equipment and planning tools to automate mail ballot processes and enhance reconciliation, much of which is done manually. New and improved equipment will also build the foundation for the County to transition to all mail voting.”

Federal grants will allow King County Elections to:

Purchase mail ballot accountability equipment to track outgoing and incoming ballots.
Purchase high speed tabulation devices designed for a central count environment will replace existing equipment designed for a precinct count or decentralized environment.
Purchase ballot sorting and signature scanning equipment that will image signatures on incoming mail ballot envelopes. This equipment, which is similar to what is used in the banking industry, will pave the way for automated signature verification. Imaging signatures as ballots are received reduces the number of times the ballot is manually handled and will eliminate the need to transport ballots back and forth from the security cage.
Purchase election project management scheduling software and web-based, employee training program.

The Executive recently transmitted an ordinance to the Metropolitan King County Council seeking spending appropriation for the grant money.

King County Elections received the funds through a grant provided through the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Passed in 2002, HAVA made sweeping changes to improve election laws across the country. To assist counties with those efforts, the United States Congress appropriated more than $3 billion.

King County Executive, Ron Sims County news Executive initiatives Executive offices Biography Contact information King County Executive Office Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT King County Executive, Ron Sims King County Executive You're in: King County Executive, Ron Sims print Aug. 15, 2006 $4.7 million in federal grant to improve ballot accountability and ballot reconciliation More improvements to King County elections are possible thanks to a $4.7 million federal grant earmarked to enhance ballot accountability, upgrade vote counting equipment, and improve election planning. “Funding for this equipment represents a great leap forward for King County Elections,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “As the second largest jurisdiction in the nation to process absentee ballots, it is essential we have equipment and planning tools to automate mail ballot processes and enhance reconciliation, much of which is done manually. New and improved equipment will also build the foundation for the County to transition to all mail voting.” Federal grants will allow King County Elections to: Purchase mail ballot accountability equipment to track outgoing and incoming ballots. Purchase high speed tabulation devices designed for a central count environment will replace existing equipment designed for a precinct count or decentralized environment. Purchase ballot sorting and signature scanning equipment that will image signatures on incoming mail ballot envelopes. This equipment, which is similar to what is used in the banking industry, will pave the way for automated signature verification. Imaging signatures as ballots are received reduces the number of times the ballot is manually handled and will eliminate the need to transport ballots back and forth from the security cage. Purchase election project management scheduling software and web-based, employee training program. The Executive recently transmitted an ordinance to the Metropolitan King County Council seeking spending appropriation for the grant money. King County Elections received the funds through a grant provided through the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA). Passed in 2002, HAVA made sweeping changes to improve election laws across the country. To assist counties with those efforts, the United States Congress appropriated more than $3 billion.
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	Updated: March 17, 2010