Nov. 20,2004

Republican Party attempts to limit King County recount process

The Republican Party this evening announced plans to try and stop King County from recounting some ballots.

Early in the recount process, the Republican Party asked King County to stop duplicating and enhancing ballots. Washington Administrative Code (WAC 434-261-080
and 434-261-090) instructs counties to enhance or duplicate ballots rejected where votes are unreadable to ensure that the ballot can be accurately counted.

"My priority today and for the next four days is to administer this recount in accordance with state election laws," said Dean Logan, director of Records, Elections and Licensing Services. "It is in the best interest of voters that we stay above the pressure of the political parties. If the parties believe there is a need to challenge the elections standards practiced throughout the state, the appropriate place to do so is in court."

Working in teams of two, in the presence of party observers, ballots are enhanced or duplicated based on clear voter intent - if a mark is made within the oval, it is considered a valid vote. Unreadable votes, where voter intent is not clear, are forwarded to the King County Canvassing Board for final determination.

Ballots rejected by the vote tabulation equipment may be torn or wrinkled -- or in need of duplication because the voter changed his or her selection, made a stray mark, or did not completely fill-in the oval next to their selection.

When enhancing ballots, election workers:

maintain an audit log of the actions taken with respect to enhanced or duplicated ballots;
assign enhanced ballots a unique control number which is also marked on the face of the enhanced ballot;
keep a detailed log including the control number of each ballot enhanced; the initials of at least two workers who participated in enhancing the ballot; and the total number of ballots enhanced; and
seal duplicated ballots retaining them in secure storage areas at all times.

"I want voters to be assured that our focus is on administering this recount according to the specific state laws that govern the ballot counting process," said Logan.

Read the Secretary of State's guidelines to County Election officials regarding the 2004 Recount

Updated: Nov.20, 2004

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