Resolution Opposing the Creation of an Elected Auditor
to Manage Elections in King County

WHEREAS, King County Elections are currently run by a Director of Records, Elections and Licensing, and by a Superintendent of Elections, both of whom are professional positions appointed by the King County Executive and confirmed by the King County Council, and

WHEREAS, the operations of King County Elections have been thoroughly scrutinized by the County Executive, County Council, political parties, media and the general public, and

WHEREAS, a variety of public committees and independent consultants have reviewed the operations of the King County Elections office and made variety of recommendations for improvements, and many of those recommendations are being and have been implemented, and

WHEREAS, independent elections professionals, editorial boards, and various public "watch dog" groups, including the League of Women Voters, have all called for keeping the positions of Director of Records, Elections and Licensing, and Superintendent of Elections as professional non-elected positions because of the complexity, importance and magnitude of the King County elections system, and

WHEREAS, the proposed change to the County Charter would create a new elected position of King County Auditor that would be responsible for all elections functions in King County, effectively politicizing the management of our democratic elections system, and

WHEREAS, Republican officials and right-wing activists initially proposed and have advocated for this change to the County Charter that would politicize the management of our democratic elections system;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 46th District Democrats do hereby oppose the creation of a new elected position of King County Auditor that would be responsible for all elections functions in King County.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 46th District Democrats call on the King County Council to maintain the integrity of our elections system by publicly opposing the misguided and politically motivated effort to place this measure on the ballot.

Adopted unanimously by the 46th District Democrats on August 3, 2006.