http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=7845916

Thousands of primary votes invalid due to lack of oath

Posted: Feb 8, 2008 06:49 PM EST

Updated: Feb 8, 2008 06:49 PM EST




OLYMPIA, Wash. - Thousands of ballots being cast for the presidential preferential primary in Washington State are invalid because voters aren't checking an oath saying they're a Democrat or a Republican.

Secretary of State Sam Reed says some of the people have just forgotten, or may be purposefully skipping voting in the presidential race and voting on special elections being held in 36 of the state's 39 counties.

But he thinks many are protesting the requirement that they declare themselves a Democrat or Republican for the Feb. 19 election.

In King County alone, elections officials say that of the 120,000 ballots returned so far, between 20 and 25 percent did not check the oath on the back of the envelope.