Frequently Asked Questions

The King Conservation District Election

February 15-March 15, 2011

The Conservation District Election Process:

Q: What’s new about the 2011 election process?

A: The King Conservation District (King CD) is introducing secure, on-line voting as an alternative to in-person voting. Voters may vote from their home, business or other computer locations.

The King CD has initiated the online voting alternative following the November, 2010 revisions in rules governing conservation district elections in Washington State.

Q: When does the on-line election begin and end?

A: The 30-day, on-line public election period begins February 15, 2011 and ends at 9 pm March 15. All votes will be tallied at the conclusion of voting.

Q: Will you offer an opportunity to vote in person?

A: Yes. The district will also provide a one-day, in-person voting option at the King CD’s Renton office on March 15 between 9 am and 9 pm. The King CD is located at 1107 SW Grady Way, Suite 130, in Renton.

Q: Who is eligible to vote?

A: Individuals registered to vote in King County (excluding residents of cities that are not members of the King Conservation District: Enumclaw, Federal Way, Milton, Pacific and Skykomish).

Q: How do I vote?

A: Step 1: Confirm Voter Eligibility: Submit signed affidavit (forms available at www.kingcd.org beginning Feb.14 at 9 am) via email, fax or US mail. We suggest voter applications submitted by US mail should be postmarked no later than March 11.

Step 2: Vote Online: Once voter eligibility is confirmed, a personal identification number (PIN) will be issued by email. Voters will receive complete online voting access information with the email delivery of the voting PIN.

Q: Will the King CD on-line voting be secure?

A: Remote Electronic voting for the King CD election will employ the Scytl Pnyx™ eVoting platform which is recognized worldwide – including both King County and Washington State - as offering unique and patented cryptographic protocols that provide user-friendly e-voting with the highest levels of security, in terms of voters’ privacy, ballot box integrity, and voter-verifiability. The core Pnyx™ eVote system has been successfully deployed for United States overseas and military voters since 2008.

Q: My browser indicates that the voting website hosted by Election Trust may not be secure because the ‘SSL certificate’ might not be valid. Should I be concerned about continuing on to the log-in page?

A: No, there is nothing to be concerned about. To ensure voter privacy, Election Trust utilizes a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate that is issued by a well known, reputable 3rd party certificate authority. However, depending upon your computer’s security settings, some web browsers may generate a precautionary warning regarding a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate that, in fact, can be trusted.

Q: Is there a “cut-off date” for submitting my application form so I can vote on-line?

A: Yes. If voters have not received their PIN by 5 pm on March 14, they will need to vote in person at the King CD Renton offices March 15 between 9 am and 9 pm.

Q: What if I don’t have an email address?

A: Voter authentication and secure on-line ballot access does not require a dedicated email address to receive a PIN and vote. Voters who do not “own” an email address can use one provided by a family member or friend.

Note: A voter’s eligibility is based on whether the individual is registered to vote in King County and resides within the district. A personal email address is not required for eligibility screening.

Those individuals without email access may vote in-person at the King CD’s Renton office on March 15 between 9 am and 9 pm.

Q: Why is the King CD providing on-line balloting?

A: On-line voting over a 30-day voting period provides an opportunity for expanded voter participation. Traditional voting in previous King CD elections has not been convenient for voters. For example, in 2010, the district could provide only seven voting centers scattered across the district due to budget limitations.

Q: Why isn’t the King CD election included in King County election ballots?

A: State law (WAC 135-110-200) dictates the supervisor election must take place in the first quarter of the year.

Q: How does the King CD manage its election?

A: King CD has retained Bellevue-based Election Trust, LLC as designated Election Supervisor for the election process. Election Trust and Scytl USA are providing the secure and proven internet balloting platform.

Election Trust has managed past King CD public elections using other voting methods--this election marks the first time it has been possible to use on-line voting.

Q: What are the responsibilities for a supervisor?

A: The board of supervisors conducts regular public meetings to oversee the district’s budget and provide policy guidance and oversight to district staff. Supervisors are expected to help identify critical resource conservation needs in their district, communicate with the public and seek feedback about conservation programs from district residents.

The all-volunteer, five-member board includes three elected members and two who are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission. All supervisors serve three-year terms. As public officials, their responsibility is to ensure that the King CD meets its legal and public trust obligations.

Individuals are encouraged to contact the King CD for more information on the board’s duties and responsibilities at King CD office at 425-282-1900.

The Conservation District Election Process in Washington State…

Q: Why aren’t the conservation district elections on the general ballot like other special purpose districts?

A: State law (WAC 135-110-200) dictates the supervisor election must take place in the first quarter of the year.

Q: What authority dictates the conservation district election process? What does it require districts to do when conducting an election?

A: The Revised Code of Washington (RCW 89.08) defines the conservation district election process rather than standard election law under title 29. RCW directs that the election be held in the first quarter of the year, have a minimum of one polling place that must be held open for a minimum four hours, must give timely and adequate notice to constituents of the district, and follow standard procedures for qualifying voters.