Workers organize ballots for recount

By Jerry Cornfield
Everett Herald     09 December 2004

EVERETT - The unprecedented hand recount of the governor's race eased into gear Wednesday as workers inventoried dozens of boxes of Snohomish County ballots under the vigilant gaze of political observers.

"It was probably more boring than I thought it would be," said Michael Swanson of Everett, one of two Republican watchers.

John Leonard didn't mind an uneventful morning observing the tedious work for the Democratic Party.

"The less I do, the better it is as it relates to the operation," he said.

Recounting each of the nearly 2.9 million votes cast statewide Nov. 2 is intended to decide once and for all whether Republican Dino Rossi or Democrat Christine Gregoire will become the state's new governor.

Auditors hope to complete the task by Dec. 23.

Rossi is the governor-elect after a machine recount, winning by 42 votes. The state Democratic Party has paid a $730,000 deposit for the hand recount on Gregoire's behalf, convinced the painstaking tally will result in a reversal of fortune for her.

Democratic Party lawyers also have sued to have previously rejected ballots reconsidered for counting. Secretary of State Sam Reed and the state Republican Party disagree and want the suit thrown out.

The state Supreme Court will hear the case on Monday; its decision could potentially add hundreds more votes to the final totals.

Snohomish County rejected 261 of 200,737 mail ballots. Of those, 153 were not signed by the voter, 68 were signed by someone other than the voter, and 40 had a signature that did not match the voter's registration card.

No one debated legal matters Wednesday inside Snohomish County's tabulation center on Pacific Avenue. Inside, 56 people, earning $7.50 an hour, divided into two-person teams to sort boxes of ballots from each of the county's 698 precincts.

Their job was to ensure that each contained the correct number of ballots. They also verified that a printed tape of vote results existed for each of the 937 touch-screen machines used on Election Day.

Guided by two counting center supervisors, the teams of one Democrat and one Republican operated in near silence at the outset. As hours passed, conversations started and the steady hum of voices once became loud enough that an official shushed them.

This initial work may be completed on Friday, and the counting of votes could begin on Monday, county Auditor Bob Terwilliger said.

Though the proceedings are open to the public, no one visited in the first few hours.

Barbara Tunestram of Everett, one of two counting center supervisors, regretted the lack of a public audience.

"They've missed out. This is history," she said.

Observers designated by the political parties could move freely around the tables, but not talk to the workers.

Swanson and Paul Daley, who was hired by the Snohomish County Republican Party, had sheets detailing what to look for. The list includes ballots placed in wrong boxes and items on tables that could be used to alter a ballot.

Swanson said observers from all 39 counties in the state plan a nightly conference call to report any issues.

Daley said he saw no "shenanigans." Swanson did report seeing a black pen on a table, which is not allowed because it could be used to mark a ballot. Supervisor John Zambrano said he checked and it turned out to be a red pen.

Leonard praised the workers for their professionalism and collegiality.

"The reason I'm here is I want impartiality and integrity in the process, and I don't want to see any intimidating type of behavior," he said.

Island County is scheduled to begin recounting its approximately 40,000 punch card ballots today. Auditor Suzanne Sinclair said eight county election workers, divided into four two-person teams, will do the work. They will be set up in the county administration building in Coupeville and could finish by Tuesday.