 Nov. 22,2004 King County conducts recount faster than expectedKing County election officials reassure voters they will continue to conduct vote counting proceedings professionally and in accordance with state election law in the final days of the recount of the Governor’s race. “We will not allow the political interests in this race to interfere with the conduct of this recount,” said Dean Logan, director of King County Records, Elections and Licensing Services. “We will continue to count every vote according to state law without regard to partisan politics. I want to recognize the King County Elections staff for their continued dedication and excellent work under intense scrutiny.” Sunday Federal District Court Judge Marsha Pechman rejected the Republican Party’s attempt to prevent King County from duplicating and enhancing ballots – a standardized practice used by election officials throughout the state. When a vote tabulation machine rejects a ballot, staff is instructed to stop tabulating and request the ballot be reviewed at the duplicating and enhancing table, where teams of two work to determine if the ballot has a clear visible mark in the race for Governor. If voter intent is clear, the team will enhance or duplicate the ballot in the presence of dozens of party observers so the ballot can be properly fed through the tabulation machine and the vote recorded. If the voter’s intent is not clear, the ballot is forwarded to the King County Canvassing Board for final determination. “I want to reassure King County voters their ballots are secure,” said Logan. “Our responsibility and obligation under state law is to recount these votes accurately and in a manner that ensures every valid vote cast for the office of Governor is counted.” Staff recounted 438,531 absentee ballots and all 305,503 poll ballots over the weekend. King County will continue to work 12-hour days to complete the recount by Wednesday. Results of the recount will be posted online by Wednesday, Nov. 24. Read the Secretary of State’s guidelines to county election officials regarding the 2004 recount at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/office/20041119.htm Dean Logan will have media availability today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mail Operations Ballot facility located at 3901 First Ave. The next Canvassing Board meeting is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov.23. |
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Updated: Nov. 22, 2004 King County | Elections | News | Services | Comments | Search
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