title
A MOTION establishing county policy to ensure the constitutional guarantee of every citizen to cast a secret ballot.
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WHEREAS, the Washington state Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to cast a secret ballot, and
WHEREAS, state laws provide additional guarantees and guidance ensuring every citizen the right to cast a secret ballot, and
WHEREAS, King County might purchase and use new elections equipment that has the capability to track individual mail ballot envelopes as well as individual ballots, and
WHEREAS, the public has expressed significant concerns that ballot-tracking equipment could identify the ballots of individual voters;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. County policy is hereby established that no unique identifying numbers or marks of any kind may be placed on ballots that could allow an individual voter to be identified with a particular ballot; and
B. In the process of tabulating ballots and reporting elections results, the highest priorities of King County shall be to ensure an accurate vote count and to preserve the secrecy of individual ballots.