November 06, 2005

"King County GOP challenges nearly 2,000 voters' registrations"

"King County elections officials scrambled Friday to reassure hundreds of voters who received letters notifying them that their voter registrations had been challenged.

All 1,944 challenges were filed Oct. 26 by Lori Sotelo, senior vice chairwoman for King County Republicans. The challenges, alleging invalid residential addresses, triggered notification letters signed by Dean Logan, county elections director.

Logan said any voter who received a letter could update his or her address on Saturday, either by phone or in person during extended hours at the county elections office, or, if the address is valid, simply vote a challenged ballot in Tuesday's general election.

Challenged ballots cast Tuesday - or already mailed in - will be considered at a postelection challenge hearing, he said. The burden of proof at such a hearing is on the challenger, county elections spokeswoman Bobbie Egan noted.

"The most important message is: people should not be afraid to vote on election day," Egan said.

The article is here.

Posted by Randy Riddle at November 6, 2005 11:05 AM