2004, ISBN: 0874223040

Chasing dreams of a governorship, two viable and sophisticated candidates Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire-ran for Washington's top statewide post on November 2, 2004. The election resul… More...

Chasing dreams of a governorship, two viable and sophisticated candidates Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire-ran for Washington's top statewide post on November 2, 2004. The election resulted in an incredulous neck-to-neck split of the vote, automatically triggering a State-mandated recount. Meanwhile, intense public interest, constant media and internet coverage, and political party and grassroots arousal caused a perfect storm in the closest and longest governor's contest in American history. Not until seven months later did Washington voters know for certain who would occupy the Governor's Mansion. After the initial election day count, two subsequent recounts, and contentious court action, the final margin in the seesaw contest was a razorthin 133 votes out of a record 2.8 million votes cast. At one time during the manual recount, with only one of Washington's 39 counties yet to report in, the candidates stood a breathtaking 8 votes apart. An Election for the Ages presents a cliff-hanging chronology of this political standoff that gained nationwide attention. It also provides an insider's look at how Secretary of State Sam Reed and his staff supervised a heated political battle that reached beyond the Governor's race to the rules of democracy itself. Book jacket. 21st century,americas,biographical,biographies,biographies and history,biography and history,elections,elections and political process,history,modern (16th-21st centuries) Elections & Political Process, Washington State University Press<

2004, ISBN: 9780874223040

As they voted in the November 2004 election, Washington State citizens were unaware that they were launching a stunning and controversial political episode. The chaotic primary, a public … More...

As they voted in the November 2004 election, Washington State citizens were unaware that they were launching a stunning and controversial political episode. The chaotic primary, a public equally divided between two candidates, the soaring voter turnout, and the timing of Election Day all collided, creating the closest ballot result for any governor's race in American history. Never before had an election for a statewide office required two recounts. In another first, litigation followed, calling into question the integrity and accuracy of the entire voting process. Whether Dino Rossi or Christine Gregoire would claim victory was finally decided in June of 2005. Out of 2.8 million votes cast, the winning margin--after the initial tally, a re-total by machine, and ultimately a manual recount--was a razor-thin 133 votes. Written from the perspective of the Office of Secretary of State, An Election for the Ages offers a chronological profile of these dramatic events. It clarifies and explains interpretations of election statutes, court rulings, and the role of state officials, providing an inside look at how Secretary of State Sam Reed and his key executive and election staff supervised a heated political battle that reached beyond this particular race and to the rules of democracy itself. An Election for the Ages: Rossi vs. Gregoire, 2004 Heffernan, Trova / Secretary of State Sam Reed, Washington State University<