Elections director needs to be qualified for the job The Leagues of Women Voters of King County oppose Initiative 25. This King County ballot measure, if passed, will begin a King County Charter amendment process to change the director of elections from an appointed to an elected position.
The League of Women Voters supports a professional election administrator with the background and understanding of election laws who is qualified to successfully administer the technical challenges of 21st century elections in a county with nearly 1 million voters.
The integrity of the election process demands that the director of elections be carefully selected and able to be immediately replaced for poor job performance, rather than continue in office until the end of a four-year term or a recall process. We believe that leadership positions in King County government where specialized, technical expertise is required should be appointed.
The King County executive is responsible for appointing a qualified elections director. If the charter is changed, any registered voter in King County could run for this office. No qualifications are required to run and, if elected, to serve in this office. If Initiative 25 passes, and the voters approve the charter change in November 2008, there will be no primary election for director of elections. The February 2009 election will be a special "winner-take-all" election. There will be no opportunity to select the top two candidates to oppose each other in a general election.
Denise Smith
President, League of Women Voters of Seattle
Becky Cox
President, League of Women Voters of King County South