Drafter
Clerk 10/31/2006
Title
A MOTION establishing county policy to pay extra postage due on mail ballot envelopes for the November 7, 2006, general election if voters fail to affix sufficient postage and asking the executive to study options for postage on mail ballots.
Body
WHEREAS, voting is perhaps the most important of all democratic rights of citizens guaranteed by the United States and Washington state constitutions, and
WHEREAS, voters normally expect to use a single first class stamp on their return envelope when voting by mail, and
WHEREAS, due to the large number of ballot issues on the November 7, 2006, general election the ballot is longer than normal and thus exceeds one ounce in weight, requiring extra postage, and
WHEREAS, King County practice is to arrange with the United States Postal Service to have all ballots mailed in by voters to the King County Elections Section delivered regardless of whether they bear adequate postage, and to pay any postage due, and
WHEREAS, a long-term solution should be found to avoid situations in the future whereby return envelopes for mail ballots require extra postage;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. Official King County policy is hereby established that the county will pay any additional postage due on mail ballot envelopes for the November 7, 2006, general election and future elections;
B. The executive is requested to study the feasibility and advisability of asking mail ballot voters to affix only the amount of a single first class stamp for postage regardless of ballot weight; and
C. The executive is further requested to study and consider whether new vote-
tabulating equipment might allow for the use of a lighter grade of paper, reducing the likelihood that future ballots will require extra postage.