As the 2002 candidate evaluations loom, we are working hard to refine the process and training volunteers to research and interview candidates as we prepare for the responsibility of evaluating contenders for the State House and Senate along with candidates for judicial offices in King County. These enormous tasks are shared by six committees.

The Candidate Evaluation Steering Committee meets year round to review the evaluation process. It oversees the work of the four subcommittees that will conduct candidate interviews and another two committees focusing on process improvements.

• Judicial Evaluation Subcommittee - Chair Mark Koenig. Evaluating candidates for judgeships in King County.
• Central Evaluation Subcommittee - Chair Keven Franklin. Evaluating candidates for legislative districts in central Seattle.
• South Evaluation Subcommittee - Chair Jennifer Piccolo. Evaluating candidates for legislative districts from South King County.
• North/East Committee - Chair Tami Landburg. Evaluating candidates for North Seattle and Eastside legislative districts.

Candidate Questionnaire Subcommittee - Responding to candidates concerns about the length and detail of our questionnaire, this committee is streamlining the form candidates submit as part of the evaluation process.

Candidate Investigator Subcommittee - This subcommittee is completely revising the materials used to train the volunteers who prepare reports on candidates from media articles, personal references, Public Disclosure Commission reports, and other sources prior to the candidate interviews. This training helps the volunteers better rate the candidates on their knowledge, effectiveness, character, and involvement. A revised Candidate Investigator Handbook guides researchers through the process.

The process of preparing for candidate evaluations has been refined considerably from years past, thanks to the very hard work from many people, including, and especially, the volunteers. As July nears, we anticipate an exciting and successful candidate evaluation process.