Logan Resigns As Head Of King County Elections

King County’s Director of Elections, Dean Logan, resigned Monday to become deputy elections registrar in Los Angeles County. His resignation tendered to King County Executive Ron Sims is effective July 14. “It has been a tremendous honor to serve as the Director of King County Records, Elections and Licensing Services,” said Logan. “I recall feeling humble and eager by the trust King County Executive Ron Sims placed in me when he asked me to serve the citizens of King County.” Logan’s performance, much like his resignation, as director of the County’s Elections department has been praised by some and highly criticized by others after the controversial 2004 gubernatorial election, which showed many of the flaws in the Department’s system for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of County elections. “It was with great sadness that I learned of Dean Logan’s decision to accept an elections position with Los Angeles County, the largest elections jurisdiction in the nation, said King County Executive Ron Sims. “He is a dedicated public servant and one of the most respected elections administrators in the nation. His consummate professionalism, unswerving integrity and exceptional work ethic will be sorely missed here in King County.” “While it is an incredible disappointment for King County to lose him, I am happy for Dean and his family,” added Sims. “Dean has been personally hurt by the constant barrage of harsh personal attacks on his character and professionalism leveled by some partisan extremists and elected officials. It is truly unfortunate that some unscrupulous people bent on partisan gain have chosen to treat Dean very unfairly as they have worked to undermine confidence in our elections system. But King County Councilman Peter Von Reichbauer has a much different view on Logan’s resignation. “Los Angeles’ decision is our gain,” said Reichbauer. “He [Logan] became a lightning rod for bi-partisan concerns about King County’s election process, and his departure gives the dedicated people in the agency a clean slate to regain public credibility. Yet, Logan believes that he has left the department in better shape than which he inherited it and believes that the agency will continue to improve its systems and fully restore public confidence in King County’s elections processes. “The organization is stronger and more stabilized than it has been for many years and the people in place are up to the challenge of ensuring continuous improvement and implementing further reforms and initiatives as they are presented, said Logan.