To: Sig who wrote (89476 ) 12/7/2004 3:38:59 AM From: KLP Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 793964 EVEN The Seattle Times is upset with the Democrats in the Gov's Race..... Tuesday, December 07, 2004 - Page updated at 12:00 A.M. Editorial Keep governor's count out of twilight zone seattletimes.nwsource.com A governor's election with only 42 votes separating the Democratic candidate, Christine Gregoire, from the Republican Gov.-elect, Dino Rossi, was bound to bring out the zealots in the political parties. And it has. The state Democratic Party goes too far with a lawsuit seeking to compel counties to reconsider ballots previously rejected. The ballots include absentee or provisional ballots with signatures that don't match signatures on file or ballots cast by voters whose registrations may have been wrongfully canceled. The first recount by machine was a tally provided by the law — no argument there. Even the second statewide hand recount, paid for by Democrats and expected to be completed in about two weeks, is provided by law. No argument there. But Democrats threaten to send the state into an election twilight zone with a lawsuit asking county canvassing boards to revisit ballots already reviewed in accordance with state election laws and rules. The laws and rules have not changed since the first recount; the only thing that would be different is the political pressure and lawyering. That sets a dangerous precedent. Democrats appear to be searching for votes until they find 42 that will force the counties to pay for the third count. The party is messing with the election and the state runs the risk of having the race decided by the courts or the Legislature. If the courts intervene, the validity of the second recount will be at risk because the rules effectively would be changed midelection. Voters of all political stripes will be angry and alienated for years. Both Gregoire and Rossi are proceeding with transition plans, but the ballot counting could stretch into January if election officials have to start anew with ballots earlier rejected. At some point, a new governor has to take office and go to work. The most reasonable approach is to let the second recount proceed unfettered — without revisiting previously examined and rejected ballots. Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company