King County's Dean Logan Testifies Wednesday

King County's Dean Logan Testifies Wednesday

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Story Published: Jun 1, 2005 at 2:24 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:57 AM PDT

By KOMO Staff & News Services

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WENATHCEE - The King County elections director, who has been a lightning rod for GOP criticism of the disputed 2004 gubernatorial contest, testified Wednesday the vote was the most closely monitored in Washington state history.

Director Dean Logan said observers from the political parties, the public and the media watched every step of the election - from poll voting to signature verification to the hand recount.

"There were more observers watching this election process ... than anyone had seen in any election in the state of Washington," Logan said on the seventh day of the election challenge trial.

Republicans challenging the 129-vote victory of Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire have focused on King County, a Democratic stronghold.

GOP attorneys have argued Republican Dino Rossi lost because of illegal votes, election officials' errors and fraud. They seek a rematch between Gregoire and Rossi and want Chelan County Superior Court Judge John R. Bridges to invalidate the gubernatorial election.

In three hours of testimony, Logan echoed Democrats' theme that there's no such thing as a perfect election, especially one as large and complex as King County's 2004 general election.

The problems seemed to even frustrate the judge. "Is there any sense of urgency in King County about fixing any of these problems?" he asked Logan.

"I can assure you," Logan replied, "there are steps being taken right now to address those issues."

Republicans say the problems in King County go beyond normal errors.

"Because a task is complex doesn't mean it's OK to make mistakes?" GOP attorney Rob Maguire asked Logan.

"I would agree with that," Logan replied.

"It's not OK to lose ballots," Maguire said.

"No," Logan answered.

"It's not OK to count illegal votes, is it?" Maguire asked.

"If you know they are illegal votes, I would say no," Logan said.

GOP attorneys allege hundreds of provisional ballots were counted at polling places without verification and hundreds of felons voted illegally. King County workers also found 96 uncounted, apparently valid mail ballots that had been overlooked during the election count and two recounts.

In depositions before the trial, Logan said he does not know whether the King County election results were accurate within 129 votes.

Three more trial days remain in the case. A ruling by Bridges is expected Friday, although both sides have said they'll appeal a loss to the state Supreme Court.

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