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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dalton, Volz seek votes to be chief of elections

In some ways, the race for Spokane County auditor is another referendum on voting by mail.

Incumbent Democrat Vicky Dalton led the charge last year to change the county to one that casts ballots entirely by mail.

She faces Republican Mike Volz, the finance manager of the county treasurer’s office, who argues that her effort limited the choices of thousands of people who preferred going to poll sites.

In recent weeks, the race has turned ugly as county workers debate the better candidate.

Retiring Democratic Treasurer Linda Wolverton says she’s not supporting Dalton’s candidacy.

“She’s been really, really difficult to work with,” said Wolverton, who supervises Volz.

Others, however, say Dalton holds the office to high standards and has greatly improved customer service.

“I would say she is one of the very few people in this courthouse who has ethics,” said Nan Spear, Dalton’s finance manager. “If it’s the way it’s supposed to be, it’s the way she would do it.”

Voting by mail

After making efforts to eliminate punch-card voting, Dalton pushed for elections entirely by mail. County commissioners took the issue to voters last year and ultimately took their advice by eliminating poll sites.

Volz says the decision is a customer service issue, especially considering that 43 percent voted that they wanted the option and in light of concerns about the security of mail-in voting. He said he would ask county commissioners for another vote.

“We have less voting options and less voting choices in casting our ballots,” Volz said.

Dalton argues that returning to the old system would be a drain on the office. By the time poll sites were eliminated, 75 percent of voters sent ballots by mail. She also says as long as mail-in voting is allowed, there’s more security by focusing resources on one system.

“That’s a lot of stress on an organization to produce two completely different processes for every single election,” Dalton said.

Free advertising?

All ballots sent to Spokane County homes come in envelopes with Dalton’s name.

It’s a practice that Volz said is unethical, especially in a year when Dalton is on the ballot.

“I would join the growing number of county auditors who do not use the election envelopes to advertise their name and credentials,” Volz said.

Dalton argues that the practice simply lets the public know who is responsible for the election.

“We want the public to know who we are, and I don’t see anything wrong with that,” Dalton said.

Working conditions

Inside the courthouse, accusations have swirled between those who say Dalton is a strong leader and those who say she has fostered low morale.

Dalton lost the endorsement of the county employees union to Volz.

Some in the office say that problems have been overblown by people with vendettas.

“Vicky often interacts with us and checks on what’s going on and takes an interest in her employees,” said Celeste Maki, senior recording specialist.

Wolverton notes that the auditor’s office has had difficulty filling positions in the finance division.

“I’ve just seen real quality people leave that office as quickly as they can, and a lot of them have come to me for references,” Wolverton said.

Dalton said the turnover results from pay, not her leadership. The positions that have been hard to fill come with below-market salaries, she said.

“I am one of the very few managers in this county who actually do deal with the employee issues,” Dalton said.