1. Just read in the paper, Olympia (AP) that the county auditors are complaining about all of the extra work caused by the contesting of the election. The story is clearly slanted to try and leave the impression that the money being spent to comply with the requests for information by the Republicans ($200,000), is a huge, wasteful burden to the taxpayers of this state. No mention is made of the fact that private citizens are supporting Dino Rossi to enable him to contest the election, nor is there willingness to admit that the bulk of the information required to sort out the election mess of Nov. 2nd should have been readily available, if the auditors had just done their jobs in an orderly manner in the first place!

A further thought on the money that is at stake. I received a letter from Bob Williams of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation last Dec. 3rd in which he states that our legislature is planning to increase state spending by 13.7 percent over the next two years. The increased tax revenues will provide for a 6.7 percent increase. So the $1 billion "shortfall" in the budget we keep hearing about is due to the grossly inflated spending goals of our former Governor and the Democrat legislature.

Dino Rossi is pledged to work to create a balanced budget. Doing so will save the taxpayers of this state, not 100's of thousands of dollars, but over a billion dollars! There's a lot riding on this election, beyond the desire to have a legitimately elected governor.

Posted by: RLG on February 1, 2005 12:58 AM

2. With all due respect to Auditor Greg Kimsey, if he is unable to reconcile the number of votes and voters, isn't he admitting he doesn't know where they came from? So how can he claim they don't represent illegal votes? How can he assert anything about them except: "I don't know"? The plain fact is that after the best efforts to account for all of the votes has been done, we're left with 200 plus "mystery ballots" that, whatever else may be true, do not connect with the available list of legal voters. That would seem to put them into some sort of "illegal" status, wouldn't it? Or am I missing something?

One caveat is in order though, this happened in a Rossi leaning county with a Republican Auditor in charge. So does this mean we've been too harsh on the Dems? Too trusting of the Republicans? What to make of it?

Great work, Stefan. Soundpolitics.com is our own form of "democracy at work!"

Posted by: RLG on February 1, 2005 01:35 AM

3. If the auditors did their jobs in the first place the costs of figuring this mess out wouldn't be an issue. They can go cry me a river.

Funny...the Dems never seem to have a problem spending our tax dollars for other things.

Posted by: smoke on February 1, 2005 02:00 AM

4. I just can't understand how a precinct can be allowed to turn in results where votes outnumber voters. I know the "horse is out of the barn" on this one, but it's not hard to implement procedures to avoid such a result.

Here in Alabama there's a book assigned to each voting machine. Signature lines are numerically sequenced. A poll worker is assigned to each book/machine at all times. The poll worker doesn't allow anyone to sign the book until the previous voter has left the machine. Only after the next voter has signed does the worker re-set the machine and allow him to enter.

At set times during the day AND each time the machine's worker changes, the machine count is compared to the book and the results are noted in the book. At the end of the day the final poll worker AND the precinct captain print out a "receipt" showing the final count on the machine. That receipt is compared to the book total. After they determine both numbers match, they both sign the receipt and attach it to the book.

The result is:
At the end of the day all machines balance,
thus all precincts balance,
thus the STATE totals balance.
How hard is that?!

I don't know how provisionals and absentees are tracked. But it would seem simple to come up with some kind of numbered sticker system where the next number is placed on each incoming provisional or absentee envelope. At the end of the day the number of envelopes would have to equal the number of stickers used. (All spoiled stickers would have to be kept and accounted for.)

I lived on the West Coast for 20 years. I know how they look down their noses at Alabama. One would think they would be embarassed that we can get it right while they're still trying to tally a 3-month-old election.

Posted by: JeanneB on February 1, 2005 05:25 AM

5. Let me add: We did have a precinct which didn't balance one time. Within 1/2 an hour officials from the Sec. State's office and the Sheriff's Dept. descended on that precinct. The error was found and corrected within a few hours. Interestingly, this was so rare that it made big news.

Posted by: JeanneB on February 1, 2005 05:34 AM

6. RLG:

The Governor of Washington is required to submit a balanced budget -- good thing Rossi pledged to do so if he had been elected.

I heard a state senator (elected, republican) say, on TVW, that she believes Gregoire is only temporary and soon we'll have Rossi as the real elected governor.

Is this now the Republican line? It has been "we don't know who won, so we need a revote". But this elected State Senator was direct in saying it's Rossi -- not Gregoire.

Hmmmmmmm....this whole thing maybe wasn't about accurate voting, etc. It's after all about getting the republican to take the oath of office.

Go figure.

Posted by: jim on February 1, 2005 07:34 AM

7. During "Rally For Revote" Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey held a question and answer forum at the elections office in Vancouver, when I asked him about the "illegal ballots" he became extremly upset at my choice of words and proceeded to rail me on the use of the term "illegal votes" mental block comes to mind.
Also Mrs Gregoire is to be here in Vancouver tomorrow for a "reception", what ever that means? The Columbian has not mentioned a thing about SOS Reed with Attorney General's Office supporting the Republicans position.
Thank you Sound Politics for keeping me informed.

Terry Clark County

Posted by: Terry on February 1, 2005 08:10 AM

8. That Alabama reconciliation method is quite similar to how we count our narcotics at the hospital--5 times every 24 hours. Nurses who are going off-shift cannot leave the premises until the count is done and the count it correct.

Posted by: Rae on February 1, 2005 08:10 AM

9. I think we need to keep loking closely at all counties for overvotes. If I were going to add fraudulent votes for Democrats, I would do it in counties that overwhelmingly support Rossi. Everyone keeps looking at King, Pierce and Thurston because they overwhelminly support Democrats. But if you add a little more in each county there is a large unnoticeable gain. If any overages are found, I would claim it must be the Republicans because Rossi won that county.

Posted by: Ken on February 1, 2005 09:00 AM

10. That is interesting that this year the discrepancy is almost 3 times as high as the 2000 election.

What about elections in between?

Posted by: DeadManVoting (aka Iguana) on February 1, 2005 09:03 AM

11. Ken, I agree that it's wrong to focus only on counties that voted D. These so-called "overvotes" are a problem no matter who won.

Posted by: Bostonian on February 1, 2005 10:09 AM

12. Jim,
When Rossi says he will create a balanced budget, he means that spending will not exceed revenue. He plans to cut back on projected spending. The current situation in Olympia is that spending is budgeted to exceed revenue by some figure in excess of a billion dollars, creating a budget "shortfall" of that amount. This then becomes the rationale for raising taxes solve this "emergency" in the state budget. And you'll not here the MSM ever explain it as an increased level of spending by a profligate governor and legislature.

Posted by: RLG on February 1, 2005 10:15 AM

13. Auditor Greg Kimsey, a Republican, said he doesn't know how much smaller the number will go, but he's adamant the discrepancy does not equate to illegal votes. "Not at all," he said.

Perhaps MR. Kimsey could explain the knowledge he does have, that allows him to make that statement?

Posted by: South County on February 1, 2005 10:18 AM

14. Oops! I of course meant "hear" the MSM...etc.

Posted by: RLG on February 1, 2005 10:21 AM

15. I think Jim has had too many moonbat milkshakes.

Posted by: Big M on February 1, 2005 10:23 AM

16. RLG..you have drunk from the kool-aid...just like Indiana voters did.

You see, they elected a republican governor just this election who pledged to balance the budget the same way you say Rossi will.

However, guess what! Higher Taxes! And he's not alone...other states with republican governors have done the same thing!

So, you also accuse the Mainstream Media of being unfair. Well, read about this on foxnews...I presume you don't consider that part of the MSM.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145532,00.html

Bottom line...is don't believe what politicans say...republican, democrat or anyone else!

You should also know that from Bush (Smaller government? Less spending? Try records in both!) Where's the outrage on the right?)

Say what you need to get votes (though Rossi didn't quite get enough votes to win) and then do like the others....

Posted by: jim on February 1, 2005 10:29 AM

17. Jim,
Aha! Now I see the error of my ways: it's supposed to be "just politics" sans accountability! Those poor fools who fought a revolution over "taxation without representation"! Thanks for setting me straight.

Posted by: RLG on February 1, 2005 11:12 AM

18. Here is the bottom-line folks:
In Jefferson County, Auditor Donna Eldridge has 18,769 Voters credited with voting (actual names & registration #'s) PLUS 3 ACP's (Address Confidentiality Program)==18,772 Total Voters Credited with Voting.
Eldridge counted 18,772 Votes
Votes & voters reconcile 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now the arguments coming out of some County Auditors and Camp Gregoire that it cannot be done is MOOT!!!! If it can be done in a County with 2 election staff members, why can't it be done at any level?? I'll tell you why. Because it hasn't been a priority, other Election Officials have not taken this seriously AND THEY ARE INEPT!!

Now the latest Democrat "SPIN" is these other County's, like KINGCO, have good controls in place on the "front-end", therefore the totals are 100% correct!!
These is why Olympia is such a disaster. This type of "good enough" mentality is pervasive throughout State Government. If this type of incompetence is tolerated and encouraged at the Election level, how can anyone expect the elected officials to perform with any accountability???

The Dems are in huge trouble on this. It's my understand other COunty's taking this reconciling of votes with voters very seriously too. Some maybe 1 or so off, but proportionately they are way better than some of these other County's.

It will come out on Friday.

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on February 1, 2005 11:17 AM

19. RLG,

Unfortunately, that's the way it IS, not the way it should be. The problem is our system, the solution isn't found by the party affiliation of the candidate.

But for Rs to say Ds are evil and Rs are great are just flat wrong. As wrong as those who say the opposite. Neither has the high ground. Both love the power, and will do/say whatever it takes to get it and maintain it.

I know...name a better system...I can't. But that doesn't make ours perfect...and certainly doesn't make one party superior to the other.

Posted by: jim on February 1, 2005 11:29 AM

20. Jim,
Judging which party or candidate is the better choice is for the voters to decide. I sense this point has escaped your notice, having written the whole sorry mess off as "just politics!" For those of us who haven't drunk the kool-aid (if you'll pardon my contrary assertion), contesting this election is the means to seek to re-establish rule of law. Treating this effort as mere partisan politics reveals a rather jaundiced viewpoint, one I choose not to share.

Posted by: RLG on February 1, 2005 11:45 AM

21. jim--
What in the Hell are you talking about?????
We have an election with a 129 vote difference and all kinds of examples of illegal votes and Election Official errors and negligence!!!

It appears jim, that you expect folks to say "let's ignore what happened...it could be worse". GIMME A BREAK DUDE!

It's called ACCOUTABILITY jim.. When the core of an election has been mishandled and those responsible are minimizing what they have done, of course you go to a higher authority which is what the Republican's wisely did in filing this Election contest.

Sorry not to feel your Karma jim...NOT REALLY!!

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on February 1, 2005 12:09 PM

22. Hmmm, that sounds like a Logan-ism: "It was a mistake, BUT IT DIDN'T AFFECT THE ELECTION!"

..but how do you know?
uhhhhhh.....

Posted by: Michele S on February 1, 2005 12:24 PM

23. Jim - If the roles had been reversed and Dino Rossi won the last recount by 129 votes, the Dems would have taken the same route and you know it !

However, it turned out the way it did - not saying that Dems are evil - you implied that though because it seems like you are projecting that you really believe that Republicans are evil. For trying to change the cushy corrupt election system that apparently benefits Democrats - but really benefits noone ? Actually, a good number of non-Kool Aid drinking Democrats (which I question if you are part of) would also like to see it change.

Posted by: KS on February 1, 2005 12:25 PM

24. Jim, The election process is a four-step process, each step as legitimate as the others:

1)Count the votes on election day
2)Machine recount if within a certain %
3)Manual recount paid for by requesting party unless the result is changed
4)Contest of the election to be settled in the courts as laid out by the Legislature in law.

We are merely in step 4 and it is no different legally than Gregoire asking for a manual recount.

Posted by: Scott in Carnation on February 1, 2005 12:26 PM

25. Has anyone noticed (of course you have!) that the said $4 million is far LESS than the 20+ Million x-tine's office blew on that botched appeal and the subsequent settling with that employee who then sued her?

gee, where's the outrage, Ds?

At least we KNOW where that $4 million will go. We still can't get Mr. DSHS down there in Olympia to tell us where millions and millions went......where's the outrage?

Clean house in Olympia...vote Dino!

Posted by: Michele S on February 1, 2005 12:30 PM

26. Christine Gregoire will be at a reception given by the mayor & the city council at the Red Cross Bldg on Officer's Row in Vancouver, 4 to 6 pm on Wednesday, 2/2

We hope that all folks in the area will be at that "welcoming reception" at 3:45 to really give her the welcome she deserves.(on the sidewalk, across the street)

Wear Orange & bring appropriate welcome signs!

Posted by: Susu on February 1, 2005 12:51 PM

27. Ken, you are either a criminal mastermind or a master detective! That would be the perfect thing to do: pepper the Rep. precincts with fraudulent votes. The only thing one needs is a person with access who believes that having a Democrat in power is important enough to fabricate votes. Unfortunately, more and more people seem to think this way; just see John Fund's book for examples.

Posted by: Shannon K on February 1, 2005 01:15 PM

28. Clark County went to Rossi overall, but it also has some solid Democratic strongholds. It's not clear from the article what parts of the county had the problem.

Couldn't resist could you. God forbid a Republican county has election problems too.

Posted by: Daniel K on February 1, 2005 01:21 PM

29. RE: Gregoire reception given by the Vancouver Mayor & the City Council at the Red Cross Bldg on Officer's Row in Vancouver, 4 to 6 pm on Wednesday, 2/2. "welcoming reception" at 3:45 on the sidewalk, across the street.

If you would like to attend this exclusive gathering hosted by the city, according to the Columbian on Friday 1/28,Reservations are required and can be made by calling 360-696-8913.

However City Attorney Ted Gaithe clarified that the newspaper article was mistaken. The indoor part of this event is intended to be by invitation only, apparently for the business community. Commoners are welcome on the sidewalk, which worked well in Ukraine. Wear orange, tie an orange ribbon on your car antenna or your arm, and thank God for free speech(on the sidewalks, this blog, for 3 minutes at city council meetings etc.)

Posted by: Margaret on February 1, 2005 03:20 PM

30. Unless the counties are hiring extra personnel, I don't see how doing court-mandated discovery, vote count reconciliation or other election-related is costing the counties any "additional" money. It would seem that elections officials get paid to work normal 40-hour weeks, regardless of what they work on. If they weren't working on doing discovery and reconciliations (which they are required to do anyway), they would be working on other Important Stuff like drinking coffee, surfing the internet, planning when to use sick days and playing Solitaire.

Posted by: RG on February 3, 2005 12:50 AM

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