As gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi and the Washington state Republican Party pursue their court case to invalidate the last election, Spokane-area citizens have a chance to shape the next one.

The state Election Reform Task Force will be here Tuesday to hold the fourth in a statewide series of five public hearings aimed at gathering input about the state’s voting structure.

“This is an opportunity for Washington citizens to tell us what they think should be changed and improved about our voting system,” said Governor Christine Gregoire, who announced formation of the task force in her inaugural address.

The Spokane hearing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Lair Student Center at Spokane Community College, Mission and Greene.

Gregoire has been declared the winner of the 2004 election by 129 votes out of some 3 million cast. Irregularities have been identified in enough ballots to more than offset Gregoire’s skimpy victory margin, prompting Rossi and the GOP to argue there’s no way to say with confidence who won. They want the results thrown out and a new election ordered. Meanwhile, Gregoire functions as governor.

One of her first acts was to create the election reform task force, consisting of Secretary of State Sam Reed, former state Sen. Betti Sheldon of Bremerton, former Washington State University President Sam Smith and former state Sen. Larry Sheahan of Rosalia.

The task force met earlier in Vancouver, Des Moines and Pasco and will hold its final hearing Thursday in Mount Vernon.

“The problems that have occurred during the 2004 election cycle are unacceptable and need to be fixed,” said Reed. “I am eager to hear suggestions from citizens on how to do that.”

Among the issues identified by the task force for attention are the timing of elections, provisional ballots for voters whose eligibility is questioned at the polls and policing voter registration rolls to eliminate felons and people who have died.

The task force is scheduled to file a report with the governor by March 1, after which it will be posted on the Internet at

Spokane Transit Authority is developing a new service plan. People who want to offer comments on it can do so at a public hearing, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Spokane City Council Chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

The draft plan is available on the Internet at www.spokanetransit.com. Printed copies also are available on transit vehicles, the STA Plaza or the Bus Shop Too, 1229 W. Boone.