Wyman Asks Inslee To Postpone April Special Election

OLYMPIA, WA — Secretary of State Kim Wyman and county election officials are asking Gov. Jay Inslee to use his emergency powers to cancel the upcoming special election, planned for April 28. According to Wyman's letter, no candidates for office are on the ballot, but bond and levy measures are up for consideration in 18 counties.

Wyman cited ongoing uncertainty over the outbreak of the new coronavirus in Washington that could potentially prevent election staff from performing their duties as required.

"While public contact in an election is greatly reduced because Washington is a vote-by-mail state, the staffing requirements to conduct an election remain," Wyman wrote. "The uncertainty of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could dramatically impair a county's ability to perform its statutory duties in an election."

Wyman goes on to detail how courthouse closures, workforce reductions and disruptions among vendors could make it impossible to conduct the election up to the required standards.

"While the potential impacts are many and unknown, a positive COVID-19 diagnosis for an elections staff person could result in election offices being shut down for cleaning while the election is in progress and facilities are full of live ballots that require security," Wyman wrote. "Additionally, election officials cannot safely assist voters in person while protecting their staff by maintaining social distancing required to slow the spread of COVID-19."

Wyman recommended the items that were set to appear on April ballots instead be added to the August 4 or November 3 elections.

The letter is signed by county auditors from across Washington state.

According to the Seattle Times, a spokesperson for the governor's office confirmed they had received the letter and spoke to Wyman, but had not yet briefed Inslee on the details.

Read the full letter below: