BOBBIE GAGNER, Kennewick.

Most voters are aware that Washington's Secretary of State Sam Reed will be retiring from public office the end of the year. The secretary of state is responsible for overseeing state elections, business and nonprofit corporation filings, historical records and state libraries.

Kim Wyman is serving her fourth term as Thurston County auditor. Kim has strived to always maintain a balanced approach to security, integrity, and access in elections, matters of finance and public records.

Kim is committed to maintaining and improving the statewide voter registration database. This system is a critical tool designed to improve voter registration, while cross referencing county voter rolls to catch duplicate voter registrations (voters registered in more than one county in the state).

Kim has been endorsed by Reed and former Secretary of State Ralph Munro. She has also been endorsed by 65 current and former County Auditors in both political parties who are experienced election officials. That list includes Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton and me, Benton County auditor from 1987-2009.

Please join me in voting for Kim Wyman for Washington secretary of state.