Posted Nov. 14, 2008

WSSDA has been advised that the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is re-issuing ballots to all school directors in Western Washington for the election for State Board of Election Position #4.

According to OSPI, the re-issuance of ballots is necessary due to the omission of the elector's name and address on the return envelope as required by state regulations. (Elector information is needed to apportion weighted votes.)

New ballot materials are being sent to school directors who are eligible to vote in the current election.  Position #4 is elected by school board members residing in Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whatcom counties.

School directors should be aware that they  must use the re-issued ballot and return envelopes for their vote to count in this election. According to OSPI's revised instructions:

• If you have already voted and mailed your ballot, you must vote again using the new official ballot, the blue return envelope and the white security envelope.

• If you have not voted, discard the original ballot materials and use the new official ballot, the blue return envelope and the white security envelope.

Complete instructions will be included in the new mailing of ballot materials, which was expected to go out Friday, Nov. 14. Voted ballots must be returned to OSPI or postmarked no later than Wednesday, Nov. 26. If you have questions about the elections process, contact OSPI's Penny Coker at 360.725.6133.

Also, a reminder that WSSDA has posted an online guide to the candidates for SBE Position #4. The guide includes biographical information, written and audio candidate statements, and responses to questions from WSSDA. Election information is also available on the OSPI Web site.

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