“The voters of King County have the right to question every aspect of King County’s elections system,” said Councilmember Jane Hague, a former manager of the Elections Division and prime sponsor of the ordinance. “Over the last three years, we have seen a series of errors that have caused people to distrust the bedrock of our democratic system. It’s time to stop being reactive. Once again, we are asking this Committee to act as the eyes and ears of the public and take the first steps toward regaining the trust of county voters.”

The legislation restores the 13-member Citizen’s Elections Oversight Committee created by the Council in 2003. In 2004, the committee presented the Council a lengthy report and a series of recommendations to improve the elections that are being implemented by the Elections Division.

Members of the committee would be nominated by the Chair of the Council and the Chair of the Council’s Labor, Operations and Technology Committee. Where possible, the membership of the Committee will consist of those selected by the Council in 2003. Committee member will include representatives from:

• The Municipal League,
• The League of Women Voters,
• The King County and state Republican and Democratic Parties,
• A King County junior taxing district,
• An independent research and policy institute,
• The Washington State Auditors Association,
• The office of the Washington Secretary of State,
• The Chinese-speaking community,
• Two registered King County voters.

The representatives from the Secretary of State’s Office and the State Auditors Association would be ex officio, non-voting members of the Committee.

The panel—which will act independently of any other committee or group currently reviewing the Elections Division—will initially review the 2004 general election and the 2005 spring election to identify errors made and recommend measures to improve future elections, submitting their report to the Council by June 15, 2005. The panel will then monitor the 2005 primary and general elections and make recommendations to the Council on ways to improve the Elections Section by February 1, 2006.

Under the ordinance passed today, the Elections Oversight Committee would sunset on February 28, 2006, unless the Council acts to extend its service.

“This is an opportunity to take a step back and let the committee build the foundation needed to restore the trust of King County voters,” said Hague. “It’s time to move forward with real solutions for the short- and long-term success of county elections.”

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system
and type in “2005-0055”