On July 14, the San Juan County Green Party in Washington state, and four voters, asked the Washington State Supreme Court to stop the practice of printing unique bar codes on ballots, in the 24 counties where that is done. The case is White v Reed, no. 83342-7. Here is the complaint. The lead plaintiff is Tim White, a member of the Green Party who was recently the Cemetary District Commissioner for Orcas Island, an elected non-partisan post.
The lawsuit asks the State Supreme Court to take the case without first requiring it to be heard in lower courts. However, in case that request is denied, there is a parallel case pending in lower state court in San Juan County, called White v Henley.
Washington state has 39 counties, and 15 of them do not print unique bar codes on individual ballots. The lawsuit depends on the state Constitution, which says that the Legislature will “provide for such method of voting as will secure to every elector absolute secrecy in preparing and depositing his ballot.” Thanks to Brent McMillan for this news.
At least NOT yet 666 bar codes on the bodies of the voters — for Bible fans – Revelation last chapter.
The Washington Secretary of State is denying that the bar codes actually allow anyone to link ballots to the identities of the voters who cast them. See here. It will be interesting to learn who’s telling the truth and who’s fibbing.