Spokane7
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October 17, 2010 in City
Ballot envelopes disputed over auditor’s name, status
Cindy Zapotocky shows ballot envelopes bearing Auditor Vicky Dalton’s name and status as a certified public accountant.
(Full-size photo)
A Republican complaint to the state Public Disclosure Commission accuses Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton of electioneering by printing her name prominently on ballot envelopes.
Dalton dismisses the complaint out of hand, but the Disclosure Commission doesn’t.
The issue isn’t new, but “times have changed” with the introduction of vote-by-mail elections, according to Doug Ellis, the commission’s interim director.
“You’re seeing that the kitchen table becomes the voting booth,” Ellis said. “It could be perceived that they (auditors seeking re-election) have an advantage to have their name right there in front of the voter in the voting booth.”
Chuck Skirko Jr., president of the Spokane County Young Republicans, saw it exactly that way in the complaint he filed.
“It’s electioneering, in our view,” said Cindy Zapotocky, chairwoman of the Spokane County Republican Party.
According to Dalton, putting her name – including the fact that she is a certified public accountant – on ballot envelopes helps voters hold her accountable.
“I am not going to be an anonymous elected official,” Dalton said.
She noted that elected officials throughout the state routinely include their names in return addresses on correspondence with constituents.
However, Ellis said, some auditors don’t put their names on ballot envelopes.
He said a state law that took effect this year seeks to curb a similar practice in years when officials are up for re-election. Elected officials no longer can use their names, voices or photographs in public service announcements in the months leading up to an election.
Removing auditors’ names from ballot envelopes when they’re on the ballot is “similar to what the Legislature’s mindset was moving toward,” Ellis said.
He said the Public Disclosure Commission has discussed the issue with the Washington State Association of County Auditors, of which Dalton is vice president.
“It’s still in the discussion phase, but I think we will work something out with the auditors in the coming year,” Ellis said.
The commission doesn’t feel it can dictate to the auditors and is looking for an “accommodation,” Ellis said.
Meanwhile, he said, the commission will resolve the complaint against Dalton in the same way similar complaints have been handled: by determining whether her name on ballot envelopes is “normal and regular.”
If a return address has always been included on correspondence and it’s always the same, it’s probably OK.
If an elected official’s name gets bigger, bolder or more colorful when the official is up for re-election, there may be a problem, Ellis said.
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misjustice on October 17 at 7:31 a.m.
Zapotocky=Wackadoodle
crstrode on October 17 at 9:26 a.m.
The comment from Misjustice may not be respectful, or eloquent, however I do share the sentiment.
PhiltheBibliophil on October 17 at 9:42 a.m.
More whining from the Party of NO!
Scoutster on October 17 at 10:12 a.m.
OMG….You mean I didn’t HAVE to vote for the person whose name was on the outside of the envelope I tossed and whose name I later found 5th down on the back side of the ballot?
I feel duped!
carbonuser on October 17 at 10:27 a.m.
Bye Bye Vicki.
CPA - Give me a break. She works for the State. Probably doesn’t even do her own tax return.
We need a change badly!!
carbonuser on October 17 at 10:32 a.m.
Hey Vicki…….Maybe you can get a job at H&R Block.
They hire wannabe’s and CPAs who work for the State.
You would never cut it as a real CPA.
carbonuser on October 17 at 10:32 a.m.
Hey Vicki…….Maybe you can get a job at H&R Block.
They hire wannabe’s and CPAs who work for the State.
Hcklbery on October 17 at 12:12 p.m.
PhiltheBibliophil on October 17 at 9:42 a.m.
More whining from the Party of NO!
MORE WHINING FROM THE PARTY OF DRUNKEN SAILORS WHO DON’T LIKE THE WORD “NO”.
Shylock13 on October 17 at 3:13 p.m.
If I recall, every other ballot I’ve received in the mail has had that return address (although I’m not sure of the “CPA”). Possibly the protest folks think none of us dumb voters could get past the return address to vote for any other candidate. Really, now, this complaint is way off the page!
liarsinnews on October 17 at 8:40 p.m.
Dalton is another elected official that has been in office too long. After too many years they become contaminated.
HammerSix on October 18 at 8:01 a.m.
The mail comes from “The Office Of..” not from the Auditor herself. How much other official business do we get from City, County, State, and Federal agencies with a personal name on it? NONE! (except for another arrogant blow-hard like Ralph Baker)
Her name is absolutely unnecessary in this transaction. So, since my return mail will be officially addressed to Vicky Dalton, I expect her to open it personally. Otherwise, wouldn’t this be tampering with the United States Postal System and mail delivery?
I know this is not how it will play. Some underpaid staffer or unpaid volunteer will open our ballots. All the more reason her name shouldn’t be on either one!
Pat O'Leary on August 11 at 5:32 a.m.
This has been sop for many years….not to say it’s right. The other problem is, when they leave office, what happens to all the envelopes that didn’t get used? Do they go to the dump? Probably. All the envelope should say is, Spokane County Auditor, period.