“This is a bipartisan effort because this is a bipartisan issue,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, one of the sponsors of the charter amendment ordinance. “Leaders from the Washington State Democratic and Republican State parties support an elected Auditor position. King County should join the other 38 counties in Washington state in placing the administration of elections under the direct supervision of a separately elected official.”

“The County’s advisory groups recommended that we move to an elected Auditor,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “I trust the citizens of King County to make that decision in November.”

Proposed Ordinance 2005-0027 would put to a vote of the people a charter amendment adding the office of Auditor to the list of county officials elected by the public. When adopted by the Council, it would place the charter amendment on the November 2006 ballot. If passed by popular vote, an election for County Auditor would occur in November 2007, with the newly-elected Auditor taking office in January 2008.

Dunn and Ferguson said the panel charged by the Council to review King County Elections, the Citizens’ Elections Oversight Committee (CEOC), has endorsed an elected Auditor, as well as the Executive’s Independent Task Force on Elections. “The Council has implemented five of the six priority recommendations proposed by the Elections Oversight Committee,” said Ferguson. “The only one we have ignored is the elected Auditor. It’s time to deliver on this recommendation.”

The two Councilmembers said an independent Auditor, if elected by and accountable to the people, will be an effective advocate for scarce funding, have the flexibility to make quick and timely decisions, and skillfully guide a highly trained staff of technically proficient professionals to implement reforms and renew trust in the county elections system.

While the proposed ordinance was introduced in 2005, it has never been formally discussed by the County Council. Dunn and Ferguson said they now have the votes to bring the legislation before the full Council, and to adopt it.