Amid the wrenching twists and turns of the historically close governor’s race, it’s easy to think that anarchy has overtaken our election system. Indeed, the rhetoric spewing from Democrats and Republicans of late sounds more like pro wrestling than political discourse.
Now that Democrat Christine Gregoire appears to have won a statewide manual recount – pending today’s count of a few hundred more ballots in King County – the trash talking only figures to get worse. Republican Dino Rossi held a narrow lead through the initial count and a machine recount, and his backers aren’t likely to accept defeat quietly.
Above the storm clouds, however, lies a reassuring calm of integrity that mustn’t be overlooked. It’s personified by Secretary of State Sam Reed, the state’s top election officer, and the state Supreme Court.
Reed, a Republican with a well-deserved reputation for fairness, has consistently sought to apply the law – and common sense – to the vote-counting process. He sided with Republicans last week before the Supreme Court, arguing against the Democrats’ blanket effort to have previously rejected ballots reconsidered in the manual recount. On Wednesday, he argued against his party as it sought to keep King County ballots that had been thrown out in error from being counted.
In both cases, a unanimous Supreme Court sided with Reed – staying above the political fray and going once against the Democrats, once against the Republicans. In other words, the justices sided with the law.
In such a politically charged atmosphere, where outrageous and baseless charges are tossed around with impunity, it’s important not to overlook evidence that our system of laws is functioning. And the election system, despite apparent incompetence in King County, is a transparent one. No evidence of fraud or corruption has surfaced.
It’s also worth remembering that neither of the candidates in this case wears a black hat. Rossi and Gregoire, as we pointed out in our editorial endorsement of Rossi, both have impressive credentials and a demonstrated ability to lead. Whoever finally becomes governor will face an unprecedented challenge of presiding over a divided electorate. Effective governance will only happen from the political center, with moderate Democrats and Republicans joining in support.
The election process, to be sure, needs reform. King County’s, in particular, may need an overhaul. The Legislature must apply remedies that will make the rules clearer in future close elections.
For now, though, we take heart in the knowledge that Reed and the state’s highest court have managed to remain focused and clear-headed through this episode. The system, despite its imperfections, basically works.
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