The Chaos of a Contested Election
Pierce County election officials struggle with poorly administered ballots, leaving dozens of precincts disqualified and the fate of legislative seats in limbo.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The official count of the Pierce County vote brings out many irregularities, demonstrating a lack of comprehension of the election laws by precinct officials. Already twenty-six precincts have been laid aside. If all these be thrown out, the Republicans may gain some offices. The points on which it is expected the precincts will be thrown out are: First—Officers not being sworn in properly. Second—List of voters not certified to. Third—Ballots not properly sealed and strung according to law. Beve Judson, representing the Democrats, says the canvassing board has no authority to throw out any precinct. 'So far over 4,000 votes have been set aside,' he stated. 'It won't do to deprive these voters of their franchise. The canvassing board could elect whoever it pleased if allowed to throw out precincts.'
“The canvassing board could elect whoever it pleased if allowed to throw out precincts.”
Election administration has always been a point of contention in Washington. The 1892 dispute over 'irregularities' and the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters by a canvassing board mirrors ongoing modern concerns about voting rights and administrative oversight.
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