November 02, 2005
Deja Vu: Primary Mail Ballot Report was bogus!

It's time for King County to change its name to King Cantcounty.

King County's Mail Ballot Report from this year's primary election is as bogus as last November's Mail Ballot Report.

Whoever created the 2005 primary mail ballot report used last year's sham method of computing "Total Number of Mail Ballots Returned" by adding ballots tabulated + ballots rejected. There was no independent count of returned ballots to ensure that all valid returned ballots were counted and that no extra ballots were stuffed.

In fact, check out Line 3 and Line 7.

Line 3 "Total Number of Mail Ballots Tabulated" = 245,641
Line 7 "Total Mail Ballots Accounted for and Valid to Count" = 246,031

Why were 390 more ballots accounted for and valid than actually counted? Those numbers are supposed to be the same. I asked canvassing board members Dan Satterberg (who graciously faxed me the report earlier today) and Councilmember Dow Constantine if they could explain the discrepancy. Satterberg doesn't recall the issue with enough specificity and Constantine's office has not yet responded to my inquiry. Could there be a box of ballots that was misplaced and uncounted? Or are the county's absentee ballot processing systems and procedures simply not capable of counting the ballots?

Either way, those responsible for counting ballots obviously haven't learned very much from everything that happened in the last year. Enough is enough.

UPDATE: Chris Vance and the Washington State Republican Party held a news conference this afternoon about the Mail Ballot Report and King County's inability to count its ballots. I've also substituted the WSRP's clean copy of the Mail Ballot Report for the fuzzy faxed copy I posted earlier.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at November 02, 2005 02:50 PM | Email This
Comments
1. Please explain what is wrong with this? The system is working flawlessly - by definition, as it is getting the right result.

OK back to the concept of democracy with one living non-felon, US citizen, WA resident - one vote. Not in the least surprised - dismayed (understatement), yes, but not surprised.

Posted by: fred on November 2, 2005 03:11 PM
2. I simply marvel at how utterly stupid these people are. They apparently don't have enough sense to think that someone might be watching after their electus interruptus last November.

Posted by: Danny on November 2, 2005 03:17 PM
3. Stefan, what does the report mean by "reconciled by hand count"? This doesn't mean counted - only that they were manually verified as to their category?

Posted by: SouthernRoots on November 2, 2005 03:18 PM
4. Wow, even after all the elections since last November and there are still 7,302 ballots returned by USPS as undeliverable (line 8).

I wonder if those registrations have been inactivated. How many of those were sent ballots for the General election?

And 46 deceased still voted. Will these be forwarded to the prosecuter for investigation?

A year later and the only thing that "seems" to be cleared up is the felon votes - but then, there were none last year until an investigation was undertaken.....

Posted by: SouthernRoots on November 2, 2005 03:34 PM
5. Thank you Stefan. We just concluded a very successful press conference on this issue.

Posted by: Chris Vance on November 2, 2005 03:45 PM
6. What would it take to get the canvassing board members to grasp the fact that it is their job to determine whether the abstract of votes prepared by Logan's gang is a true and complete statement of the votes cast?

They cannot know whether the abstract is true and complete unless they know whether the votes on all valid ballots were counted--and counted only once for each ballot.

They cannot know this unless reports such as the mail ballot report show that it is true.

Why do the canvassing board members all ignore the obvious discrepancies shown by such things as this mail ballot report?! (For Logan, the answer is obvious; but what about the other two members of the board?)

Posted by: Micajah on November 2, 2005 03:48 PM
7. Ron Sims and Dean Logan have NO shame.

Posted by: Deborah on November 2, 2005 03:51 PM
8. Don't the numbers have to reconcile for them certify?

RCW 29A.60.200
Canvassing board -- Canvassing procedure -- Penalty.
Before canvassing the returns of a primary or election, the chair of the county legislative authority or the chair's designee shall administer an oath to the county auditor or the auditor's designee attesting to the authenticity of the information presented to the canvassing board. This oath must be signed by the county auditor or designee and filed with the returns of the primary or election.

The county canvassing board shall proceed to verify the results from the precincts and the absentee ballots. The board shall execute a certificate of the results of the primary or election signed by all members of the board or their designees. Failure to certify the returns, if they can be ascertained with reasonable certainty, is a crime under RCW 29A.84.720.


[2003 c 111 § 1520; 1990 c 59 § 63; 1965 c 9 § 29.62.040. Prior: 1957 c 195 § 17; prior: (i) 1919 c 163 § 21, part; Code 1881 § 3095, part; 1868 p 20 § 1, part; 1865 p 39 § 6, part; RRS § 5340, part. (ii) 1893 c 112 § 2; RRS § 5342. (iii) 1903 c 85 § 1, part; Code 1881 § 3094, part; 1865 p 38 § 4, part; RRS § 5339, part. Formerly RCW 29.62.040.]

NOTES:

Intent -- Effective date -- 1990 c 59: See notes following RCW 29A.04.013.

Posted by: JCM on November 2, 2005 03:55 PM
9. Well, it has to be said, so forgive me!

They are probably 390 votes for David Irons. The election workers are just ensuring they still have jobs for Christmas!

I will continue to hit the tip jar for Stefan, Irons, 912, and the Washington State Republican Party and I encourage all to also. How else can we try to get some honesty in this state?

Posted by: sgmmac on November 2, 2005 03:56 PM
10. At least this time it appears that the number of ballots tabulated was less than what they had on hand. ;-)

Posted by: Jeff B. on November 2, 2005 03:56 PM
11. THERE IS A VERY SIMPLE ANSWER TO THIS ON GOING PROBLEM...EVERYONE MUST BE A PRODUCT OF THE SEATTLE SCHOOL SYSTEM, WHERE IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO GO TO ANTI-WAR MARCHES & BE PC THAN TO LEARN ANYTHING.

MAYBE THAT IS WHY EVEN LEFT WINGER BILL GATES PULLED HIS MILLIONS IN GRANT MONEY FROM SEATTLE SCHOOLS. "NO MORE SOUP FOR YOU"

Posted by: TACOMA PHLASH on November 2, 2005 04:00 PM
12. Bwa-wa-ha-ha-ha!

I have to laugh, this is so bad...


Why hasn't the Republican party thrown its full weight behind Mr. Sharkansky and his findings? They have the money and the manpower. Why not trumpet his findings from the rooftops?


Where is the leadership of the Republican party? Come to think of it, where is the leadership of the Democratic party? This has sunk so far that anyone with a speck of decency ought to feel OUTRAGED!

Is this really the legacy that Seattle wants to leave in its political history?

Wake up! Why isn't this news? Don't give me same old, same old . . . please.

Posted by: HappyGoLucky on November 2, 2005 04:15 PM
13. Why is it one man and a blog against the corruption?

Why hasn't the Republican party helped Mr. Sharkansky? Why can't they help him now? They have the most to gain. SoundPolitics is not a blog that is supported by loonies or filled with diatribes (not including this one:) ), this blog has solid, factual evidence of crimes and fraud, why isn't anyone in power helping?

Posted by: HappyGoLucky on November 2, 2005 04:20 PM
14. HappyGoLucky -- did you not read the entire post? The State Republican Party held a press conference on this subject this afternoon.

Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on November 2, 2005 04:22 PM
15. Sad, sad times. None of the MSM sees anything wrong with the following or they'd be crying foul:

• That the very people in charge of the KC election are counting the ballots that will directly effect their employment.
• That KC is so bloated in size that they, as a county, can determine policy for virtually the whole state.
• That they can gag the first amendment, but only for those opposed to the MSM/Dems' positions on an issue.
• That KC can take your property through bogus science and not provide compensation for the stolen land.

I know the list is much longer than this. This is not the USA. Be prepared for serious punishment after these thugs steel another election. How dare us oppose them!

Posted by: Jeffro on November 2, 2005 04:24 PM
16. No disrespect intended Mr. Sharkansky, but we all see how impactful these press conferences are when the MSM is in the crotch of the democrat ruling elite. I have zero faith that the GOP outrage will hit it's target after the MSM spins it as Republican hysteria.

Posted by: Jeffro on November 2, 2005 04:29 PM
17. Mr. Sharkansky - sorry 'bout that, guess I didn't see that from the tears in my eyes from the hysterical laughter. It didn't register. Is there a link to it? Or will the conference not be covered as per usual (wow, that was cynical, happy thoughts, happy thoughts).

Is the Republican party going to help you? Provide funding, or even manpower to go through the ballots? They have that ability, don't they? Wouldn't they see this as a golden opportunity to topple a corrupt regime?

Posted by: HappyGoLucky on November 2, 2005 04:32 PM
18. Enough IS enough, alright. They keep coming up with all this crazy stuff and making excuses for it, or ignoring it like it'll all just go away. Well, that's not gonna happen...not with the Shark on their heels, plus the rest of us who learn the truth about this! It HAS to stop!

Posted by: Michele on November 2, 2005 04:44 PM
19. What did you expect from Sim's turn around team?

360 degrees is indeed a turn around.

Posted by: Andy on November 2, 2005 05:36 PM
20. 2+2 = 4, Correct Jonny
2+2 = 8, Correct Bobby
2+2 = 3, Correct Susie
2+2 = 1, Correct Pat

These are 4 kids in today's Seattle schools and all are winners and correct according to the "caring" teachers. In 25 years Bobby, Susie and Pat will all work for KCE and poor Jonny won't care cause he hugs trees.

Brought to you by the Sims & Logan....WTF? Express

Posted by: Dengle on November 2, 2005 05:40 PM
21. Logan is acting logically, if not legally or ethically. Were anyone to start an actual investigation worthy of the name into this, he's going to prison anyway; a few counts more or less in the indictment isn't his biggest worry. And an actual investigation is much more likely if Irons wins, so that's what he will do anything to prevent.

Posted by: TB on November 2, 2005 05:49 PM
22. Vance and the Republicans need to start piling on here along with guidance from Stefan - get the MSM to take note of this. David Irons needs to make this an issue in his radio debate with Sims on Friday. In addition, I suggest that Irons does a polygraph and release the certified results to shut down the Horses behind (HA)/ Air America crowd - and show Goldy as a certified leftist muckracker.

If the above fails to unseat the current King Cantcounty Exec., its time to push for the division of King and formation of Cascade County !

Posted by: KS on November 2, 2005 05:51 PM
23. Happy Go Lucky - you are one of those who don't use critical thinking and a sheeple when it comes to going along with status quo. You and your ilk deserve more of the same corruption for your apathy.

However alot of us deserve better and that's why there will be a big outcry for a new county for those who want to get out of the current cesspool known as King Cantcounty.

Posted by: KS on November 2, 2005 05:58 PM
24. Stephan:

What was the result of your hearing today? Or did the judge 'fall back in line' with Sims, Logan, et al?

Posted by: dad4 on November 2, 2005 05:59 PM
25. This was e-mailed from Sec. of State to Logan and all County Auditors and Election Officials on 9/2/05================

corky.mattingly@co.yakima.wa. us; Dean Logn; and ALL COUNTY AUDITORS & ELECTION OFFICIALS

Cc: Elections - All
Subject: Primary Certification documents
All,
Attached you will find the Certification Oath and Reconciliation Forms to be used in certifying the upcoming
Primary Election. The oath now includes the reconciliation report "required" by legislation. The other document is
the reconciliation report that is due 30 days after certification. These reports are mandated by RCW 29A.60.235
(available at the legislature’s sight http:Ilwww. leg.wa.gov/rcw/sup. cfm).
The certification of the Primary is due September 30. Please fax or email a copy of the oath and cumulative results to Randy Newton in our office at 360.664.2971 or rnewtonsecstate.wa.gov as soon as your canvassing board has certified the election. Please be sure that your county seal shows on the oath before you mail these documents with the abstract by the day following certification. Or you may send them Fed Ex, using our account number, 296050342. The electronic transmission allows us to begin our canvassing process at the earliest date.
The separate reconciliation form is due by October 30.
If you are using DREs this fall, you must audit the results according to RCW 29A.60.185 before certification.
If you have any questions, or if we can be of any help, please contact us.
Pam
Pamela Floyd
Assistant Elections Director

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on November 2, 2005 06:35 PM
26. Here is the REQUIRED form attached to the e-mail:

County ___________
Auditor __________
Date of Completion
30 Day Reconciliation Report
Primary Election
September 20, 2005
Total number of registered voters (active and inactive)
Total Number of voters credited
Number of absentee voters credited ___________
Number of vote by mail voters credited __________
Number of poll voters credited ___________
Number of provisional ballot voters credited ___________
Number of federal write-in ballot voters credited ___________
Number of out-of-state, overseas, and service
voters credited ___________
**Number of voters credited even though the
ballot was late and not counted 0
**NOTE: The above number should always be zero in accordance with
WAC 434-262-013.

Oath of County Auditor or Supervisor of Elections
STATE OF HINGTON )
)ss.
COUNTY OF ____________ )
I solemnly swear that the returns of the State Primary Election held on September 20, 2005, in _______________________ County, State of Washington, have been in no way altered and that they are the same as when they were deposited in my office.
County Auditor or Supervisor of Elections
Subscribed and sworn to me this 30 day of September, 2005
Chairman, County Legislative Authority
Certification of the Canvassing Board
STATE OF HINGTON )
) ss.
COUNTY OF ____________
The undersigned officers designated by law as constituting the Canvassing Board for the County of ______________________, State of Washington, hereby certify that this is a full, true and correct copy of the Abstract of Votes including the cumulative results, precinct results, and a reconciliation report of votes cast at the State Primary Election held on September 20 2005, in ____________________ County, State of Washington, and that the following are the true and reconciled numbers of voters and votes counted.
Witness our hands and official seal this 30t’7 day of September, 2005
County Auditor or Supervisor of Elections
Chairman, County Legislative Authority
County Prosecuting Attorney

t

County________ Date of Completion
Registration

Certification Reconciliation Report Primary Election
September 20, 2005

Total number of active registered voters in all precincts Total number of inactive registered voters in all precincts
Total registered voters in all precincts

Absentee and VBM Ballots
The total number of absenteeNBM ballots issued
The total number of absenteeNBM ballots returned
The total number of absenteeNBM ballots rejected
The total number of absenteeNBM ballots counted
Federal Write-In Ballots
The total number of federal write-in ballots counted
Out-of-State, Overseas, and Service Voters
The total number of out-of-state, overseas, and service voters’ ballots issued
The total number of out-of-state, overseas, and service voters’ ballots returned
The total number of out-of-state, overseas, and service voters’ ballots rejected
The total number of out-of-state, overseas, and service voters’
ballots counted
Provisional Ballots
The total number of provisional ballots issued
The total number of provisional ballots rejected
The total number of provisional ballots counted

Total absentee ballots counted (includes absentee, VBM, federal write-in, overseas,

out of state, and service ballots)

Total poll site ballots counted (includes poll site and provisional ballots)

Total Ballots counted

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on November 2, 2005 06:38 PM
27. (available at the legislature’s sight http:Ilwww. leg.wa.gov/rcw/sup. cfm).

the legislature's "sight"?? I guess they went to seattle public schools too!

Posted by: dave on November 2, 2005 07:11 PM
28. Did any of the TV evening news shows cover the Republican party press conference?

Posted by: Scott in Carnation on November 2, 2005 07:15 PM
29. From the GOP release -- Nicole Way was fired

I guess I missed the extensive coverage this received in the MSM.

She must be a true believer...I gather that she has not been singing like a canary since her dismissal?

Would it be very crass of me to ask what consideration might she have received from Logan and Sims, in return for her silence?

Posted by: ewaggin on November 2, 2005 07:21 PM
30. Nice to see Chris Vance is actually supporting Stefan!He had a press conference thank goodness.
I too think the GOP need lend assistance to Sharkanski's cause with $.

Posted by: Laurie on November 2, 2005 07:30 PM
31. Stefan,

Can you combine the hi-lites of your findings from the past few weeks and put them into a single thread here?

You have unearthed so many damning pieces of evidence against King County from last November's election - and from this September's primary, that it needs to be in one place so people can get an idea of the enormity of this.

I'm afraid that posting a little bit at a time - without a running history for reference - will either serve to desensitize people or anger them to the point of breaking their computer....(It's just that frustrating!) The devil's in the details and King County elections is notorious for their numerous methods of corruption, error fraud, etc... It's overwhelming and hard to keep straight..

If we could have a recap of the past few weeks findings in a condensed version, it may help to put things into perspective for everyone who visits the blog.

I understand if you don't have the time or resources to do this....

Posted by: Deborah on November 2, 2005 07:30 PM
32. Scott,
KIRO TV covered. Their report concentrated on the 390 discrepancy between DIMS and GEMS data and didn't cover the fabricated number of ballots returned (or I missed it). Both are extremely important. The discrepancy shouldn't have been accepted by the Canvassing Board and the ballots returned number is a deliberate fabrication. Tune in at 11.

Posted by: Bob Edelman on November 2, 2005 07:34 PM
33. Has anyone seen anything in the the Seattle Time/PI or any articles from the local TV stations on the GOP news conference? I wonder how long it will take the the local MSM to deem this news worthy?

Posted by: timman on November 2, 2005 07:39 PM
34. When you hire and elect CLOWNS....you get CLOWNLIKE work product.
Frankly, I believe LoganCLOWN and his band of merry CLOWNS are more incompetent than crooked.
They are "The Gang Who Couldn't Count Right!"
Hey, now there is the name of the movie about this whole ordeal.
The Starring Cast will be---
Weird Al Yankovic-------------as Dean Logan
Bill Gates--------------------as Bill Huennekens
Buckwheat---------------------as Ron Sims
Peterman from Seinfeld--------as Larry Phillips
Junior from HeeHaw------------as Julia Patterson

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on November 2, 2005 07:47 PM
35. Satterberg doesn't recall the issue with enough specificity...


...obviously not a big deal...

Posted by: South County on November 2, 2005 07:53 PM
36. Stefan...anyone...we need a strategy. We need a target.

Calling King County is useless. The newspapers do not care. The TV stations do not seem to care.

We need to organize a form of protest. Phone calls would work. We need to target someone, maybe Rob McKenna's office, I don't know if there's much point in calling Sam Reed. Maybe the front desk at KING-5

I'm willing to call someone 10-15 times during the course of the day and ask them when they will be investigating. We can put any given line or office out of business.

Posted by: South County on November 2, 2005 08:00 PM
37. Happy go lucky and Laurie


I think its a good idea that the State Gop
help Stefan out.In order to do that they will
have to get themselves out of debt first.
Since its a pretty substantial amount and
there doesn't appear to be end in site.
Its unlikely it will happen any time soon.

Posted by: phil spackman on November 2, 2005 08:25 PM
38. I guess the missing 390 ballots were the ones that were positively ID'd as republican ones that they could 'lose'.

Posted by: Misty on November 2, 2005 08:44 PM
39. Those 390 were probably just the double voters who would have looked bad listed twice in the database. Do you think that at some point King County will get serious about people who are cancelling out the votes of valid voters?

I'll bet that every person who has commented on this website has had their vote cancelled out by an illegal one.

Then again, maybe Sims and Logan will throw a party after the election next week and thank their courageous allies for their service to the party!

Posted by: Mike on November 2, 2005 09:19 PM
40. Who cares. Does anyone out there really think that if there was as much evidence of voter fraud as Shark suggests (in his endless posts on the subject) that the FBI or the State AG's office would not have already launched an investigation? Reality check time folks. You're getting one side of the story here - a story that is apparently inaccurate.

Oh, and by the way, it's not going to matter a hill of beans come election day because of the simple formula

Irons = Bush and Bush = Kryptonite (see his 35% approval rating http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/02/opinion/polls/main1005327.shtml?CMP=ILC-SearchStories)

Posted by: Claire on November 2, 2005 09:38 PM
41. Claire = not all that bright

The simple formula is: Logan gets to count the votes that he determines will be counted.

Posted by: Danny on November 2, 2005 09:45 PM
42. irons was just a poor choice for a runner.

Posted by: holt on November 2, 2005 09:46 PM
43. Claire - maybe...maybe not.

But if Bush = Kryptonite

then democraps = liquid shiite

ME? I'm more partial to the green than the brown ;'}

Posted by: alphabet soup on November 2, 2005 09:47 PM
44. And Sims is not a "poor choice for a runner" What gives with that. Talk about a mismanager!

Posted by: GS on November 2, 2005 09:59 PM
45. Hey--check it out. Stefan is THE headline over at Orbusmax.com

Posted by: Michele on November 2, 2005 10:03 PM
46. Claire, if you're feeling really self-righteous today, then what do you think of a bunch of Democrats calling an african-american the vilest, most awful racial slurs, and throwing food at him?? That's happening over in Maryland. Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Steele is the one they're doing it to.

Posted by: Michele on November 2, 2005 10:06 PM
47. People like Claire who are not critical thinkers, but rather kool aid drinkers view the world upside down & gets her talking points from Air America. The answer to her question is DUH ! no s**t Sherlock.

She doesn't care about corruption and can play ignorant pretty well, but has few facts to back up her assertions. Smells like a leftist troll duck, acts like one and writes like a leftist troll duck- see her postings on Horse behind...

Posted by: KS on November 2, 2005 10:07 PM
48. About the 35% poll numbers for Bush - from realclearpolitics.com:

"for the numbers behind the numbers. Take a look at the composition of the respondents:


Total Respondents (Unweighted) = 936
Republicans = 259 (27.67%)
Democrats = 326 (34.83%)
Independents = 351 (37.5%)


Now look at the weighted sample:

Republicans: 223 (23.80%)
Democrats: 326 (34.79%)
Independents: 388 (41.4%)"

Looks a little biased....

Posted by: SouthernRoots on November 2, 2005 10:51 PM
49. "KIRO TV covered. Their report concentrated on the 390 discrepancy between DIMS and GEMS data and didn't cover the fabricated number of ballots returned (or I missed it)."

I'll be watching KIRO news then!
(Looks like Jean and Dennis of King 5 will have to do a better job of covering this election mess if they want to keep their ratings up..)

Posted by: Deborah on November 2, 2005 11:09 PM
50. Yep!
Kiro 7 News covered it!
It wasn't an in-depth report - but it was important for the public to know that the elections system in King County is NOT repaired by any means...

So people? - YOU CANNOT YET HAVE CONFIDENCE IN KING COUNTY ELECTIONS! IN FACT - YOU SHOULD HAVE LESS CONFIDENCE NOW THAN YOU DID AFTER LAST NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.....Sorry! I don't make the problems.....Talk to Ron Sims and Dean Logan..

Posted by: Deborah on November 3, 2005 12:20 AM
51. We've lived in these parts for over 30 years. We got out of King County 10 years ago (for the last time), out of Snohomish 4 years ago. Skagit is looking less and less competent at the County Council level (though apparently honest election-wise).

So since KC seems incorrigible, and Snohomish and Pierce fall ever deeper under that influence, and since that three-county Axis has the power to steer the state . . . we're gearing up to be gone.

Several generations of us, lots of assets and investment. Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska . . . who knows?

Of course, we'll do what we can while we're here, but it just doesn't seem to matter. So in the end we'll probably end up just bugging out. Self-preservation.

We're seeing more and more of this. What happens when what's left in WA is the downtown big-money crowd and a horde of penniless moonbats? All trying to live off a few dryland-wheat growers east of the mountains and some trans-Pacific trade?

Even that last is debatable: I heard (but can't verify) that Port of Seattle soaks up $63mil in subsidies/yr, while Port of LA yields a $100mil/yr surplus.

This can't go on forever.

It may be a little while yet, but . . .

We'reouttahere!

Posted by: Refugee on November 3, 2005 01:41 AM
52. You think the last election was a mess, imagine what this one will look like with Sims, Logan, I912, I900 etc on the ballot, it will show what King County elections really looks like. Once this election starts, there will be more magnifying glasses on it then ever before.


Take heed folks - This one will be armagedden. He may win the election, but he will not survive the ridicule of the outcome.

Hold your nose and vote.

Remember Dean Logan has your interests and concerns in mind!

Posted by: GS on November 3, 2005 06:07 PM
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