Editor,

After reading last Saturday’s issue of the Whidbey News-Times, I have some serious issues with the election system for Island County.

I applaud the newspaper’s editorial pointing out the irregularities and importance of having voter confidence in our election process.

On Monday, I called the auditor’s office and spoke to the elections supervisor. She went into great detail about the quality control checks they had in place. She told be she believed there was no reason to doubt the published election results.

The only true quality control test is to have a manual recount. I feel that their attempt to whitewash the News-Times’ concerns is troubling.

Therefore, it is my intent to request and pay for a manual recount of my mayoral election. I do not expect the results to change, but it will establish confidence in our elections. I do this as a public service.

We need confidence in our elections.

Pat Harman

Oak Harbor