The NASCAR, vote by mail paradox

The Kitsap County Commissioners’ recent unanimous decision for an all-vote-by-mail system in the midst of allegations of impropriety and back room dealings with NASCAR supporters should be raising eyebrows....

The Kitsap County Commissioners’ recent unanimous decision for an all-vote-by-mail system in the midst of allegations of impropriety and back room dealings with NASCAR supporters should be raising eyebrows.

On one hand, the board justifies voting by mail by stating that the system will not only save county taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars but provide better access for all to the election process. In essence, providing voters a better platform on which to voice their opinions. On the other hand, serious questions are being asked as to whether or not NASCAR’s landing in Kitsap is already a done deal. Which, in essence, would mean that this same public is being silenced.

The fact that two of the three county commissioners are professed fans of the sport isn’t helping public perception in the slightest. Couple this with the idea that International Speedway Corp (ISC) and NASCAR would need millions — dwarfing the savings of the vote by mail system — to get the proposed track up and running, and you’ve got a first-class paradox.

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If the public doesn’t get to throw in its two cents on NASCAR via a countywide vote, the contradiction of statements coming from Port Orchard will be virtually undeniable. This is something that will impact everyone in Kitsap County and we can see no reason why it shouldn’t be decided by the voters, especially with our new all-mail voting system en route.

A countywide vote would also quell concerns over whether NASCAR’s road is already being paved by county officials. Opponents and proponents could present their facts and the populace could make an informed decision for or against the track.

While the proposed 80,000 seat arena (which, according to the U.S. Census Bureau is roughly one-fourth of the county’s population) would land in South Kitsap, thinking the addition won’t impact North Kitsap is foolhardy.

We’re not going to conjecture on unknowns, like how exactly the public/private partnership will affect taxes or whether the additional tourism will be a good thing or ruin the region.

What is known is if the track is built, NASCAR fans from all over the West Coast and beyond will come to Kitsap. If North Enders think for a moment that all these visitors will be taking the Seattle-Bremerton boat or driving up State Route 3 to the arena, they should really think again. Poulsbo and Kingston will get their fair share of traffic from the addition as well as residents from the Olympic Peninsula, Northern Washington, Canada and elsewhere find their way south. We have questions whether our infrastructure can handle such a mass migration.

But answers are surely coming. Hopefully, when they do, the county will put its new system to the test and let the voters decide.

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