County’s new voting system more ‘intuitive,’ election head says

Officials said the old system was secure, but had become harder to repair and update.

Under the new Snohomish County election system, voters must fill in an oval on the mail-in ballot, like on a standardized test.

Under the new Snohomish County election system, voters must fill in an oval on the mail-in ballot, like on a standardized test.

EVERETT — Snohomish County plans to roll out a new voting system next month.

It will change the ballot look and vote-counting procedures — but not much else.

“The voter experience will mostly be the same,” county elections manager Garth Fell said.

The system is known as ClearVote. It promises better security and efficiency than the system the county is phasing out. It also costs much less. King and Whatcom counties are using versions of it.

Voters still can expect to receive a paper ballot in the mail ahead of the April 24 special election.

From there, the most obvious difference is how to mark ballots. Under the new system, voters must fill in an oval, like on a standardized test, instead of drawing lines to their choices.

“We think that’s probably more standard or intuitive to most people,” Fell said.

There are color and layout changes, too. The new system uses a sleeve to ensure ballot secrecy, instead of a sealable envelope.

The county paid Clear Ballot Group of Boston $675,000 for the ClearVote package. That compares to the $5 million-plus spent on the old system, in place since 2002.

The price reduction owes in part to technology improvements, Fell said. The switch to all-mail elections also eliminated the need to deploy equipment to numerous polling stations. The county will continue to operate accessible voting equipment for people who have trouble using mail-in ballots.

County elections officials said the old system was secure, but had become harder to repair and update.

ClearVote is unconnected to the internet. No voter names or other information are stored in the system. State elections officials recently approved Snohomish County’s version for use, after a series of tests.

The April 24 election features a Sno-Isle Library levy for most of the county (excluding Everett, Bothell, Index and Woodway). The Darrington School District is re-running a levy that failed in February. Voters in east county also get to weigh in on merging fire districts Nos. 26 & 28.

More info: www.snoco.org/elections.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Washington state Capitol. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
These Washington laws take effect July 1

Fee hikes for hunting and fishing licenses, workplace protections for immigrants and… Continue reading

Everett
Everett could levy fines for non-emergency lift assists at care facilities

The ordinance intends to discourage licensed care facilities from calling 911 to perform lift assists in a non-emergency situation.

The pathway at Matt Hirvela Bicentennial Park is completed Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lynnwood light rail leads to new trees in Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace replaced trees removed during construction of the Lynnwood light rail… Continue reading

Riverfront Everett in Everett, Washington on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council extends deadline for riverfront grocery store

A city agreement requires the land owners to bring a grocer there. Developers say more housing units need to be built to attract one to the site.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.