Gregoire signs ballot design law

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire on Friday signed a measure meant to make ballots less confusing to voters.

Under the measure that was unanimously passed by both the House and Senate, ballots will have to be clearly marked to show where ballot instructions end and the spot to vote begins.

The bill was sparked by confusion in King County over a cluttered ballot design that officials say caused about 40,000 voters to skip over Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033 in the November election.

State elections director Nick Handy said that the ballot placement issue did not affect the outcome of that race, in which more than 57 percent of voters opposed the measure seeking to cap growth on revenue flowing into the main checking accounts of city, county and state government.

But voters who accidentally didn’t vote “were essentially disenfranchised by bad ballot design,” said bill sponsor, Rep. Scott White, D-Seattle.

Under the new law, ballots must have a clear delineation between the instructions and the area to vote, and the secretary of state must establish standards for ballot design and layout. The measure takes effect in June.

“This legislation is a major step forward in ensuring that ballots are designed to be more voter friendly,” Handy said.

Handy said that they are already working to set standards and design guidelines for all of the counties to follow. He said that the process will result in improved instructions and ballot design for the fall elections, but that statewide standards likely won’t be in place until 2011.

Also signed into law by Gregoire Friday:

  • A measure that requires local law enforcement officers, governmental agencies and others be notified when a criminally insane person escapes from a state institution. The measure is in response to the escape in September of a criminally insane killer who walked away while on a field trip to a Spokane fair. He was recaptured three days after escaping.

    A measure that allows honorary degrees to be granted to students who were ordered into internment camps during World War II. The degrees may be conferred by state universities or colleges upon people who were students at those institutions in 1942 but did not graduate because they were ordered into a camp. An honorary degree may also be requested by a representative of a deceased person who meets these conditions. Most of the Americans who were incarcerated in the camps throughout the United States during that time were of Japanese ancestry.

    A measure that requires used car dealers to inform potential buyers whether a vehicle was ever bought back from a manufacturer under another state’s Lemon Law program. Under current law, only dealers who sell new cars are required to make such a disclosure. The measure takes effect in June.

    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Local News

    Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

    Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

    Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

    Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

    A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

    The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

    The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
    Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

    The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

    Lynnwood
    Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

    Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

    Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

    Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

    People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

    The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

    Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
    Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

    The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

    The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

    The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

    The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
    Northshore School District bond improvements underway

    The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

    Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

    Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

    Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

    The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

    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.