King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, upset early Friday about a controversial vote that went Gregoire's way, was less passionate later in the day after learning more about the ballot.
On the write-in line of the ballot that was counted for Gregoire, the voter wrote ``Christine Rossi,'' election officials said.
Lambert complained, but later learned the bubble next to Gregoire's name was penciled in, and the write-in candidate bubble was not.
Still, Lambert said she disagrees with the vote being counted. ``This is another example of taking impartiality out of the election.''
With the recount and lawsuits on Washington's race for governor stretching on and on, it may be time to simply toss out all the ballots and hold the election again, former Secretary of State Ralph Munro said.
His successor, Sam Reed, said Friday that the idea might be worth considering, but notes it's not currently authorized under election laws. A judge or the Legislature would have to order such an unusual new election, he said.
``This thing could just degenerate and spiral downward,'' Munro said. ``Whoever eventually becomes governor is going to have a very hard time governing, and we're going to go through four years of flopping around.''
Munro, who oversaw the state's elections system for 20 years before stepping down in 2000, has been a major supporter of fellow Republican Dino Rossi.
Democrats said the idea was being raised only because Rossi's lead appeared in jeopardy.
``Last week the Republicans were saying we need to resolve this as quickly as possible,'' Democratic Party spokeswoman Kirstin Brost said. ``This week they're saying we need another election.''
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kingcountyjournal.com
Just the facts Ma'am...all the facts. Scribblin on the write in line don't count unless you mark the bubble, as the voter did for Gregoire.
Voter intent was clear.
Orca |
