No right in a democracy is more sacred than the right to vote. That’s why substantial changes in the voting process inevitably spark controversy, no matter how justified they are or how carefully they’re crafted. In the aftermath of the Snohomish County Council’s decision Wednesday to close traditional polling places and switch to an all-mail voting system, some perspective is in order.
No one was disenfranchised by the council’s action, despite rhetoric to the contrary. In fact, a sound argument can be made that it made voting easier for many registered voters, who now will be reminded of upcoming elections when their ballot arrives in the mail – whether it’s a presidential election or a small local one. Only the most dedicated voters haven’t had a school levy or other such ballot issue slip their mind at least once.
Snohomish County joins 33 of the state’s 39 counties in making the switch, a sensible long-term move. A large majority of county voters already vote by mail (more than 75 percent did so in November), and keeping polling places open for a shrinking number of voters wasn’t worth the cost. The county would have faced a bill of $1 million to make required upgrades to its electronic voting machines, and recurring costs for storing the equipment and renting polling space.
Voters still will have choices about how to vote. For those who prefer the civic experience offered at a polling place, drop-off centers will be placed throughout the county. Unlike traditional polling places, workers as these centers will accept ballots from anywhere in the county, not just from certain precincts. So if it’s more convenient to drop off your ballot near work, you’ll be able to do so. And unlike polling places, some centers are likely to be open for several days before election day, says Auditor Bob Terwilliger, the county’s chief elections official.
As to integrity and security, counting centers will continue to be staffed and observed by representatives of both major parties. County employees trained in signature matching will screen voter signatures on ballots, and the county must contact voters to resolve any problems. A brand new statewide voter database is up and running, and will be updated regularly to screen out duplicate registrations, felons and deceased voters.
Voters still have choices, and can be confident that their election system is secure. The right to vote in Snohomish County is alive and well.
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