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McDonald v Reed :: 153 Wn2d 201

Category: Initiative and Elections

Submitted by: R Chase

In the initial counting of ballots cast in the 2004 Governor’s race Republican Dino Rossi edged Democratic candidate Christine Gregoire by a very small margin of votes. The Democratic Party petitioned the Court to recount ballots in King County, a Democratic stronghold, using new uniform standards not in effect at the time of election. These measures would allow the addition of ballots previously rejected, but which might have been counted if cast in a different county since no uniform measures existed for all counties. Various counties employed disparate procedures and tests for comparing signatures. King County did reject a higher percentage of ballots than other counties for this reason but no discriminatory intent could be discerned.

Current statutes RCW29A.60.110 mandates that ballots be recounted only if they were tabulated in the first count, but ballots in question were never counted in the first tabulation. King County followed existing statutes in counting the initial ballots and it is not incumbent upon the Court to change the rules in the middle of a closely contested election or any election for that matter. The Court rightly rejected the petition since existing law had originally been adhered to.

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See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance [the Scriptures], and for victory many advisers [the teaching of God-fearing men]. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it [not feel-good, easy-believism]. Anyone who lives on milk, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use [of the Scriptures] have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. [Col 2:8; Pro 24:5-6; Mat 11:12; Heb 5:13-14 NIV] The summary of this is Php 2:12: "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" [and the context is --] through your reliance upon Christ - who will accomplish His will through you, holding firmly to the Scriptures.