My ballot and I went on a little trip to Redmond yesterday. Why? I felt uneasy that my signature was written on the back of my ballot for anyone to see...along with my phone number and address.
This year the County has decided to save a little money. $150,000 to be exact. The old envelopes they were using, the ones with the little flaps that cover your personal information on the back of the ballot envelope, were too expensive. I was told when I called the elections department that they were no longer required because all signatures were now public record. (thank you Supreme Court)
So here was my dilemma. Do I mail my ballot and hope that it doesn't get stolen from my mail box, hope no one uses the information on the envelope to steal my identity, hope no one at the post office takes it, hope it doesn't get misplaced, hope the elections office doesn't recognize me as politically active, hope it passed their inspection, hope it gets counted and hope that the count is actually accurate. (Is this the hope and change they were talking about?) Or do I drive it to the nearest drop box 10 miles away?
So I called 206-296-VOTE and complained. I was polite, as was the person answering the phone. She listened to my concern and added me to the list of those who were unhappy with the new envelopes.
I am glad that the County is saving money but I am unhappy with the new lack of security with the ballots. It seems like one more way the voting process in King County is questionable. For a county that is nationally known for its poor election practices it would seem that they would do all they can to improve the voters trust in them, not find ways to make them more uneasy.
That 150k is great until someone sues for a connection between the ballot and identity theft. I hope they are putting it away for a rainy day!
ReplyDeleteIt has nothing to do with saving $150K. It has everything to do with deciding whose ballots to "lose" in a close election.
ReplyDeleteDoug
Maybe they are pulling a Florida and anybody named Chad get's special scrutiny? :D
ReplyDeleteJill - thank you for your well wishes! My grandmother passed away at the age of 88 and she asked me to speak at her funeral.
Doug, don't you think you're being just a wee bit paranoid there, bro?
ReplyDeleteDoug does get carried away with his conspiracies sometimes. Debbie
ReplyDeleteWell here is my own story. I mailed my ballot for the last election and it was returned to me (via the mail with no explanation of why)the day before the election. I had to physically drive it to the drop box and hope that it actually would get received and counted.
ReplyDeleteIt seems a little odd that an outspoken person like myself would mysteriously have his ballot held up fo over a week in the system only to have it returned without any reason or without cause. It was only counted because I luckily got it back in time and I took the extra steps to ensure it was counted.
So I may seem a little jaded but I have serious concerns about the security and the ethics of those who are handling my ballot once I send it off to be mailed.
I much prefer the time when I could go to the polls, sign in, cast my ballot anonymously and know that it was counted. No wondering who was going to see it, lose it, destroy it or decide not to count it.
That does seem a little odd, Thomas. But I think it was probably just a random thing. Jill
ReplyDeleteDon't be so naive Jill. It' obvious from Thomas experience that big brother government is watching.
ReplyDeleteDoug
Doug, I see that you're probably right. Jill
ReplyDeleteI know of a friend who had a similar experience to that of Thomas - sent a primary ballot in and it was returned. His first time voting. Bet a lot of people in the most "D" county in WA would be happy to turn away a new voter since most are going to be voting Republican.
ReplyDeleteAny doubters of Doug: uh, explain how Dino WON the governor's race TWICE and lost ONCE...and he's not the governor today?
ReplyDeleteThanks for agreeing. I didn't want to respond myself to someone who calls me "bro". Sounds like some pothead if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteDoug
Hey Doug, what's with calling me a pothead, BRO? Are you always so judgemental about people you don't even know?
ReplyDeleteI've been away for a week. Imagine my surprise when I got back and saw people using my name and my wife's name. I'm sure it's just a coincidence and everyone on this blog named Doug or Debbie should probably use their last initial too.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I'm not paranoid, I got smart after the debacle with the first Rossi/Gregoire race where Rossi won 2 times and Gregorie didn't "win" until the 3rd time after King County finally found enough votes.
Doug & Debbie B.
Wow. I haven't commented at all on this post (until now) and just naively assumed that someone else must be named Jill too. Why are some people trying to assume our identities? Is it because they've lost credibility under their own names? It's really pathetic that some people are so ashamed of their own opinions and who they are that they pretend to be someone else.
ReplyDeleteJill A.
What? I've been insulted by imposters? Bro
ReplyDeleteOK. OK. We all appreciate the name calling and 1st grade behavior but lets bring it back a little and focus on the issue.
ReplyDeleteI am still suprised at how quickly political discussions turn into name calling.
There is a sign in the Emerald Falcon Printing store that says something like this:
Intelligent people talk about ideas,
Average people talk about things,
Small people talk about other people.
Let's not be small people.
Is it true that Emerald Falcon Printing sold the River Current newspaper?
ReplyDeleteDoug & Debbie, let's hope that the vote goes the right way for Dino Rossi this time.
ReplyDeleteJill A.