MLIRD election reforms go to Olympia

MOSES LAKE - The likelihood of approving election reforms for the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District during the current 60-day legislative session is unlikely because of the short time frame.

In a previous interview with the Columbia Basin Herald, district board chairman Mick Hansen said he would like a more streamlined system that mirrors the county's  election process to make voting easier.

The irrigation district is not on an entire vote-by-mail system and voters have complained about the process in obtaining absentee ballots. If voters don't obtain their absentee ballots, they must vote at the polls in December.

Irrigation district elections are ran by the districts themselves, not the county elections departments, according to state law.

Hansen told the irrigation district board about a trip to Olympia made by himself and former Sen. Harold Hochstatter, of Moses Lake, recently.

They met with Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry for one hour and previously met with Rep. Judy Warnick, both R-Moses Lake, to discuss changes to the state laws.

"Those two were pretty much on board," Hansen said.

He had a chance to speak with Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, and see what bills were already being considered.

"I don't know how many thousands of them there are, but it's enough to scare you," Hansen said.

In order for the irrigation district's bills to be considered, they must be in committee and out of the first committee by Feb. 5, he said.

"The chances of getting legislation put together this year, I would say, are quite slim, not slim to none, but less than a 20 percent chance," Hansen commented.

This year's work provides them with some bills they can talk about next year during the longer session.