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Ericksen calls for calm
deliberation in election contest
Discrepancies in ballot
totals and registered voter rolls in the historically close governor’s
race should give cause for concern but not panic, according to
Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale. Ericksen is urging calm among citizens and
officials who are looking for answers to questions raised about how
ballots were handled and counted, particularly in populous King County.
King County election
workers acknowledged this week that provisional ballots were improperly
fed through tabulating machines at polling sites and lost in the mix
with other ballots. Under election procedures, provisional ballots are
supposed to be kept separate so the voter’s status as a registered voter
can be verified.
Ericksen called the information troubling, but cautioned those who
suspect fraud.
“I think the right
questions are being asked. We just need to make sure we get sufficient
answers,” said Ericksen, who is Republican Floor Leader in the House of
Representatives.
Republicans are calling on
lawmakers to defer ratification of the election results until answers
are given and legal contests are resolved.
“The most important thing
is that citizens have confidence in the process and that the outcome
reflects our best efforts to determine who the actual winner is –
regardless of whether it is Christine Gregoire or Dino Rossi. We’re
prepared to work with either of them,” he said. “But it’s to everyone’s
advantage, including the candidates, to be assured that the outcome of
the race is legitimate. If the mistakes that have been made make it
impossible to determine an actual winner, than a new election might be
the only way to resolve this election. I’m prepared to give citizens the
opportunity to vote again to settle this race once and for all, but
first we need answers.”
The 2005 legislative
session begins Monday. The election results are presented to the
Legislature for ratification on the second day of the session.
“We don’t lose anything by deferring the vote to ratify the election.
It’s more important that we make sure we get it right, and we won’t know
until the facts are presented to us,” Ericksen said.
"Many have asked if my position would be the same if the partisan roles
were reversed. Let me be clear: I believe strongly in the principles of
the Republican Party. But I believe more strongly in the constitutional
rights of our citizens and am sworn to uphold them. My position on this
issue would be the same, regardless of who won the third recanvasing.”
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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