Easy choice: Reed for secretary of state

Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against blanket primaries in 2000, our primary elections have been in a state of flux. That is why we need the steadiest hand in charge of all elections, and that hand belongs to incumbent Secretary of State Sam Reed.

Reed wins our endorsement in both this year's primary and general elections. He knows election systems better than anyone in the state. His expertise is essential to ensure voters understand all the election changes and trust that the process will be well managed.

In the aftermath of the squeaky-close 2004 gubernatorial election, Reed advocated several election reforms, including a new statewide voter-registration system that helps guard against fraud.

There are four names on the ballot for secretary of state. With the top-two primary, two candidates advance to the general election.

One challenger, Democrat Jason Osgood, brings a wealth of understanding of computers and an admirable sense of fairness about assuring election integrity.

But the superior expertise lies with Reed, who served as Thurston County auditor for many years before becoming secretary of state in 2000. Over the past eight years, Reed fought to save the state library and to create the new state heritage center, which opens in 2012.

Reed is a Republican but by no means a partisan player. He has defended state voters repeatedly as the political parties try in different ways to assert that the primaries belong to them.

These past few years have been confusing for voters. After the court invalidated the blanket primary, the state relied on the pick-a-party system. This year is the first year for the top-two approach. Through it all, Reed and his office worked to ensure elections run as smoothly as possible.

Reed is a cool customer. He rarely gets rattled. He hires exemplary staff. He has earned another term as secretary of state.