Ballot Typo Complicates King Conservation District Election

RENTON, WA - The little-known King Conservation District (KCD) election has been hampered by a ballot error that gave voters the incorrect date of the election deadline. KCD officials have decided against extending the election, but will provide opportunities to hopefully make voting easier.

The KCD is an organization funded by King County property owners that provides a slew of natural resources services to local residents and farmers. An election to pick a new supervisor for the KCD board kicked off on March 18.

But because KCD is not a part of county government, King County Elections does not conduct the election. KCD uses a company called Election Trust to count ballots and verify voters. Some voters who received paper ballots or voted through the KCD online portal were told they had until April 4 to vote, but the election deadline is March 29.

KCD briefly considered petitioning King County Superior Court to extend the election, but decided against that move on Monday. Instead, KCD will express mail ballots to anyone who wants one, and will keep polls open Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the KCD office, 800 Southwest 39th Street, Suite 150, Renton. KCD has also sent emails notifying voters of the correct election deadline.

There are six people running for in this supervisor election. You can read more about the KCD, the election, and the candidates here.