Sound Politics: It's easy to gather signatures for a popular issue

March 25, 2007

It's easy to gather signatures for a popular issue

I spent part of this afternoon walking around Green Lake collecting signatures for I-25, to make King County Elections a separately elected non-partisan office.

I've collected signatures for other initiatives at Green Lake, but this was my most popular one by far. Most of the people who took the time to hear what the issue was agreed immediately and signed. Not one person raised a specific objection.

I filled two whole pages on one tour of the lake, just asking other walkers. And nearly all of the signers live in the heart of liberal Seattle.

The initiative WILL pass if it qualifies for the ballot, and WILL qualify if the campaign raises enough money to gather enough signatures.

Please join me and donate to the campaign today and help ensure we make this happen. Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at March 25, 2007 03:53 PM | Email This

Comments

1. Too bad those of us in other counties aren't eligible. King County has a huge impact on statewide elections that affect us all.

Posted by: lynne on March 25, 2007 04:01 PM

2. Lynne -- all of you in other counties CAN help -- you can make a contribution to ensure that the campaign reaches the greatest possible number of King County voters who wish to sign.

Donate online by credit card or paypal here:
http://www.accountableelections.org/how.htm

Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on March 25, 2007 04:09 PM

3. HINTS --- get the exact form on line at a site as pdf. so home folks can print --- turn in all forms even if not full --- hot times/places can yield max sigs - ferry boats, downtown commuter bus routes, busy corners- lines at film festivals -- always have three or four clips boards, cardboard ones OK -- had out voter registration material as well --

The pitch is help us get on the ballot, NOT do you favor it......most people are not on target yet with the issue....but sign to get things to the public for a vote .... work festivals, community fairs, farmers markets. etc., places people have a few minutes.....never ever pick fights .....be totally non partisan

smile, get cheery, and allow for some rejection, some people have unhappy lives on an ongoing basis --- get 30 per cent more than requited for a cushion - try all volunteer if possible.....media plus

who are your endorsers, league, MUNI, SEAMEC, other good govt groups??? --- Even good Dems have been very un happy, believe me....

yes, a good Dem here

Posted by: rorry on March 25, 2007 04:09 PM

4. I've been having a fine email discussion with Councilmember Bob Ferguson on this very subject. Of course I'm strong on having an elected Director ASAP. He takes credit for sponsorship of the legislation declaring the intent of the County Council to submit a proposed charter amendment in 2009, providing for an elected Elections Director. So I asked if he'd support the Initiative, wondering why should we wait till 2009?

Ah well: he's not for changing that schedule, pointing to 'just a few months' between electing a Director and the 2008 elections.

But the Director doesn't need to micromanage all the nuts and bolts of ballot handling, nor counting, and a few months is plenty of time to grasp the process - witness the very brief time in which Stefan himself got up to speed. The Director's prime function should be to make sure that everyone from himself on down obeys scrupulously with all the election laws of State and County. Which seemed to be Dean Logan's last priority, while placing "count all the ballots (legal and illegal alike)" first.

Should there be an election for Director (I fiercely hope) prior to the 2008 election, I'm voting for the one who campaigns most strongly on enforcing all those laws.

Posted by: Hank Bradley on March 25, 2007 04:47 PM

5. I'll be donating as much as I can to this effort. Time and again, Stefan disproves the "conventional wisdom" of the Leftstream Media, which is really just their handmade doctrine, handed out to "create" the truth that they desire.

It's time for accountable elections in King County. And the Dems are scared to death. It's only through ACORN like shenanigans, that Cantwell and Gregoire hold office.

Posted by: Jeff B. on March 25, 2007 07:35 PM

6. Thanks for your efforts on this important issue Stefan, be sure to sign your petitions as the collector, because our "Count every every vote Legislature doesn't want to count any of your legal initiative signatures unless you sign on the line.

Another rediculous restriction on your voting brought to you by the democrapic legislature.

Posted by: GS on March 26, 2007 07:52 PM