The Everett Herald this morning opines that our proposal to restructure statewide elected policy offices is "A sensible solution to an overcrowded ballot." The paper notes:

"The WPC suggests lightening voters' load by reducing the number of statewide elected policy posts to five, and having candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run jointly, just as those who run for president and vice president do. Voters would also still elect the attorney general, treasurer and auditor, "watchdog" offices that should be made nonpartisan, because voters don't expect politics to influence how they're run. (Voters would also still elect judges.)

The other currently elected offices would be appointed by the governor, just as the heads of Cabinet-level offices are now.

Generally, we like the idea. Why, for instance, does it make sense to elect the lands commissioner, but not the secretary of transportation? Why elect a state schools superintendent when key policy issues regarding education are decided in the legislative process?"

Click here to read our full report recommending the changes.