http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snoh...council04n.html
QUOTE
Dems in control; all-mail voting back
By Christopher Schwarzen
Times Snohomish County Bureau
Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 12:00 AM
Come fall elections, Snohomish County voters had better have postage stamps available.
Democrats, who regained control of the County Council on Tuesday, plan to replace precinct voting with all-mail balloting during today's meeting.
Last year's Republican-controlled council thwarted plans by the county auditor and executive to move to an all-mail election system. More than once, the issue failed by a 3-2 vote along party lines.
But new County Council Chairman Kirke Sievers, a District 2 Democrat, said it should come as no surprise that the measure has been raised again so quickly. With Democrat Dave Somers replacing Republican Jeff Sax in District 5, there are enough votes to eliminate all polling places except for those required to be made available for disabled voters.
Snohomish County is among only three counties in the state that haven't approved an all-mail system. The state Legislature encouraged counties to consider the option during last year's session. King County, which has the largest number of registered voters in the state, is considering an mail-in system, and Pierce County is looking at the idea.
The switch to mail-only elections would also save Snohomish County from purchasing required paper backup machines for its electronic voting machines. The backup machines would cost the county nearly $1.3 million to purchase them and about $650,000 annually in maintenance.
About 40 percent of votes in the November election were cast by mail. But the numbers have increased through the years and are expected to increase considerably, according to the Auditor's Office.
In April, 61 percent of 359,000 county voters were registered to receive absentee ballots. Without a switch to all-mail balloting, the county estimated, absentees would rise to 70 percent by December and to 82 percent by December 2009, according to county Auditor Bob Terwilliger.
The need for electronic voting machines — and backup paper units — would be expected to decrease to 700 machines by December and to 450 by December 2009.
Republicans have lamented the end of a voter's choice and have suggested an all-mail system increases potential for fraud. Democrats have cited the people's preference for mail-in ballots and the cost savings.
Sievers said the all-mail ballot issue was the only one defeated by last year's Republican majority that he was planning to raise again for a new vote.
But County Executive Aaron Reardon says he plans to ask the council to reconsider funding for the county Arts Commission. His 2006 budget had recommended contributing 1 percent of county construction projects costing $100,000 or more to the commission for its use. The Republican majority voted down that measure.
By Christopher Schwarzen
Times Snohomish County Bureau
Wednesday, January 4, 2006 - 12:00 AM
Come fall elections, Snohomish County voters had better have postage stamps available.
Democrats, who regained control of the County Council on Tuesday, plan to replace precinct voting with all-mail balloting during today's meeting.
Last year's Republican-controlled council thwarted plans by the county auditor and executive to move to an all-mail election system. More than once, the issue failed by a 3-2 vote along party lines.
But new County Council Chairman Kirke Sievers, a District 2 Democrat, said it should come as no surprise that the measure has been raised again so quickly. With Democrat Dave Somers replacing Republican Jeff Sax in District 5, there are enough votes to eliminate all polling places except for those required to be made available for disabled voters.
Snohomish County is among only three counties in the state that haven't approved an all-mail system. The state Legislature encouraged counties to consider the option during last year's session. King County, which has the largest number of registered voters in the state, is considering an mail-in system, and Pierce County is looking at the idea.
The switch to mail-only elections would also save Snohomish County from purchasing required paper backup machines for its electronic voting machines. The backup machines would cost the county nearly $1.3 million to purchase them and about $650,000 annually in maintenance.
About 40 percent of votes in the November election were cast by mail. But the numbers have increased through the years and are expected to increase considerably, according to the Auditor's Office.
In April, 61 percent of 359,000 county voters were registered to receive absentee ballots. Without a switch to all-mail balloting, the county estimated, absentees would rise to 70 percent by December and to 82 percent by December 2009, according to county Auditor Bob Terwilliger.
The need for electronic voting machines — and backup paper units — would be expected to decrease to 700 machines by December and to 450 by December 2009.
Republicans have lamented the end of a voter's choice and have suggested an all-mail system increases potential for fraud. Democrats have cited the people's preference for mail-in ballots and the cost savings.
Sievers said the all-mail ballot issue was the only one defeated by last year's Republican majority that he was planning to raise again for a new vote.
But County Executive Aaron Reardon says he plans to ask the council to reconsider funding for the county Arts Commission. His 2006 budget had recommended contributing 1 percent of county construction projects costing $100,000 or more to the commission for its use. The Republican majority voted down that measure.