Editor,

Thank you to the Island County Auditor’s Office staff and temporary election workers for their speedy yet meticulous processing of the primary ballots during this week’s manual recount required by state statute.

As an observer, I watched these folks sort the 18,789 mail-in ballots by district, sort each district’s ballots by precinct, sort the precinct’s ballots by candidate — and “other” — and then begin counting each category of votes.

Each vote category had to be recounted by a second staff member. If the two counts did not match, the ballots were counted again. The electorate’s ballots were touched by many hands.

That was just the first day.

It is my understanding that most of these temporary election workers return season after season. I applaud their dedication, service, and their ability to maintain concentration while performing this intensely “dry” work.

Though they are paid for their time, I do not think they come back for the nominal paycheck they receive.

For this recount, they contributed their best efforts and enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing that every ballot had been accounted for and each vote tallied in an accurate manner.

As elections supervisor, Michele Reagan said when addressing the canvassing board upon recount certification, “If anyone ever thought their vote did not count, this should be proof that it does.”

Thank you again, Island County Auditor’s Office, Election Office and temporary election workers, for your quality work and enthusiastic participation in the election process.

Wanda Grone

GOP candidate for Island County Treasurer