State Prepares for the 2006 Elections

Preparations are underway for some of the most extensive improvements to Washington’s voting process in thirty years. “When voters cast ballots in 2006 they will notice big changes,” said Reed. “Washington will have met all federal mandates that resulted from the contested race for president in 2000; many reform proposals talked about today will be on the books. The process will be clearer, better, and we hope – have more integrity with the voter. That is our top priority.” By 2006, the state of Washington is legally required to comply with federal mandates contained in the “Help America Vote Act.” Four of the most significant are: Replacing punch card ballots. All of Washington’s 12 remaining punch card counties will have replaced their systems with more modern voting equipment. Most counties will choose optical scan voting systems that require the voter to either fill in a bubble or complete an arrow with a pencil. Providing one touch screen voting machine per poll site. Every polling place in Washington must offer at least one voting device to benefit disabled voters. In our state, many counties may opt for touch screen voting machines. These devices must include a paper audit trail. Using a touch screen voting machine enables voters who are sight impaired to wear headphones and listen as a recorded voice prompts them down the ballot. The machine does not allow voters to “over vote” (pick more than one candidate or selection) and alerts them if they “under vote” (skip a race or measure). Requiring voter identification for first-time, mail voters First-time, mail-in voter registration applicants will be required to mail in photocopies of identification with their ballots. Maintaining a new Voter Registration Database. This important database will help election administrations better maintain voter registration rolls because each county will be networked together on the same system. Lists from various law enforcement agencies, state and county agencies, and the federal Social Security Administration records, will be checked against one another, greatly reducing duplications and diminishing opportunity for voter fraud. Many of the reform proposals called for by the Election Reform Task Force, Secretary Reed, and the 2005 Legislature may be state law by 2006. Some of the most significant of these reforms are: Moving the state primary forward, requiring identification for poll voters, and requiring the state to contribute to even-year elections in an effort to free up precious county dollars. Election administrators may receive more guidance and training from the State through structured reviews of their standards and procedures and in work sessions with the State Certification and Training Team. Consistent procedures and standards will be in place to clarify how counties handle questionable, voted ballots and how they contact voters to correct any known mistakes. Some counties may vote entirely by mail. “The changes we’re talking about go far beyond a facelift,” said Reed. “These improvements dictate how ballots are treated, counted, and recounted. We’ve learned a great deal from the 2004 Governor’s race. These improvements are a huge step in restoring public trust.”