Two panels charged with reviewing King County Elections have made recommendations on changes to the Elections Division, and with today’s approval by the Metropolitan King County Council of an election “Action Plan,” the public now knows when the Executive and Council must act to implement the proposed changes.

“We received the recommendations from both panels in early March,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “The action plan gives the public set dates on when the county will begin the work on implement the proposals.”

“Recommendations are only effective if they’re used,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson. “Significant progress has been made to improve the accuracy and transparency of King County Elections. However, we know that important and complex reforms remain to be implemented. We have a road map in hand and deadlines that will ensure these remaining reforms are implemented.”

The motion introduced by Councilmembers Ferguson and Patterson and co-sponsored by Council Chair Phillips establishes deadlines for when the County will implement recommendations made by Council’s Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee and The Election Center to improve elections.

“We’ve made many positive changes to our elections systems, but as our advisory committees pointed out, there’s more work to do,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “The council’s action today assures voters we will not stop taking the steps necessary to fully restore voter confidence and implement a more secure, efficient and effective elections system. Today’s motion will allow the council to remain vigilant in pursuing additional election reform.”

The motion proposes that by June 12, the Council complete several steps that are part of the legislative process:

• Decide whether to conduct all-mail elections.
• Decide on a policy to consolidate all elections operations into a single facility.
• Decide on the process to acquire or construct a facility for elections consolidation.
• Ask the executive to transmit an ordinance for acquisition or construction of the new elections facility.
• Ask the executive to evaluate elections security and transmit a security plan to the council.
• Ask the Elections Director to report to the council every three months on improvements he's made to the conduct of elections and improvements that are in the works.

The motion also asks the King County Charter Review Commission to give its opinion on whether the King County Auditor should be an elected or appointed position and sets a June 12 deadline for executive transmittal of an appropriation ordinance to hire a firm to oversee implementation of federal and state election changes as well as the recommendations of the CEOC and The Election Center.

Last year, Councilmembers Ferguson and Patterson proposed a comprehensive, independent audit of King County Elections to identify recommendations for reforms and analyze best practices nationwide. The Election Center, a nationally-recognized team of election experts conducted an extensive audit of King County Elections and issued a final report in October of 2005. Councilmember Phillips co-sponsored legislation to re-establish a Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee to conduct extensive reviews of King County Elections and issue reports to the Council. These reports noted that King County Elections has moved forward with reforms and improvements, but also highlighted essential reforms that remain to be implemented.

The reports highlighted the need to strengthen security, improve voter registration records, hire a management consulting team to assist in improving the organizational structure and culture of Elections, consolidate elections facilities and decide on moving to all-mail elections in King County.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.
Type in “2006-0180”