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A new elections program in the city is already seeing some irregularities. In some cases, "democracy vouchers" are going to people who moved out of Seattle years ago. (Photo: KOMO News)

SEATTLE - As President Donald Trump decries voter fraud, a new elections program in the city is already seeing some irregularities. In some cases, "democracy vouchers" are going to people who moved out of Seattle years ago.

Seattle is the first city in the nation to offer democracy vouchers as a way to fund certain political campaigns. However, when the vouchers showed up in a mail box in North Carolina, a former Seattle resident started scratching his head.

I got to thinking, if I received these things in the email, maybe I was still registered to vote in two states, said Tim Gerla, who now lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Voters approved the taxpayer-funded vouchers in 2015 as a way to get big money out of local politics. Voters receive four $25 vouchers to put towards candidates who agree to spending limits.

However, sending them to people who moved away years ago raises the concern that potential election irregularities could be triggered. The Seattle Ethics and Elections Committee said there are some challenges.

That is something we're looking into, said Wayne Barnett, the executive director of the commission.

According to Barnett, the commission had its mail vendor send the vouchers to half a million registered voters, including those who are categorized as inactive because they did not participate in recent elections. In some instances the vouchers were mailed to forwarding addresses, including Tim Gerla's.

It would be a huge ordeal for me to try to vote in two states, Gerla said. And of course, the thought never crossed my mind."

Barnett thinks the potential for abuse is limited. He said the commission must also accommodate out-of-state students and those serving in the military to use vouchers if they still consider Seattle to be their home.

We have to look at ways we can keep those people in the system while making sure those who are not returning to Seattle aren't," Barnett said.

Because of the questions raised by KOMO News, Barnett wrote in an email that going forward, the commission will verify that people who use the vouchers are Seattle residents by having them sign and return a form.

For now the voucher program is limited to candidates for city attorney and the two at-large council seats. Depending on its success there, it could expand to other races in the future.

Read more here:
Seattle "democracy vouchers" show up out-of-state - KOMO News