Legislators tour Franklin County election center

PASCO - A group of legislators joined Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs on July 25 to tour Franklin County's downtown election center to see the ballot process first-hand.

Hobbs was present with Assistant Secretary of State Kevin McMahan, Reps. Stephanie Barnard, Bill Ramos, Chris Stearns, Sharlett Mena, Bruce Chandler and Sam Low; and Sens. Nikki Torres and Matt Boehnke.

The tour came just days before the Aug. 1 primary election is set to close.

Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton and election staff walked the group through the building explaining numerous controls and security precautions in place to maintain election integrity.

Every doorway has key card entrances on both sides, which track when people go in and out.

The facility has several cameras, one of which is connected to the Auditor's Office website, with a set schedule so the public can see into the facility during elections.

The center has a viewing room for the public – employees jokingly refer to as the "fishbowl" - to watch election staff while they work.

Beaton said anyone is welcome to tour the facility.

Several legislators questioned the technology and methods of Beaton's staff, as well as their education and training.

Beaton explained that he and his staff facilitate elections; however, they do not determine them, he said.

"We do not make decisions about whether or not to accept a challenged ballot or not, that is the Canvassing Board's job," Beaton said.

He praised his staff and their hard work.

"It's not about the process, but the people who run it," Beaton said.

Discussions from the group included election education of younger generations as well the struggle with young voters' penmanship.

Because ballots are signed and mailed in, if a ballot envelope signature doesn't match or have the distinctive characteristics of a signature on file, then the system will flag it, officials said.

As the tour ended legislators and staff spoke about the effectiveness of certain laws in counties of Franklin's size.

"How effective will it be the further you get out on the bell curve," Beaton said. "Some counties cannot afford to be in compliance, there are simply not enough resources."

Beaton thanked the legislators for their interest in the process as well as conscious awareness of counties such as Franklin when looking to improve the system.

"Even just the consideration, is great" Beaton said.