Eric Nelson of Duvall elected as member of King Conservation District Board

Eric K. Nelson of Duvall has been elected as a member of the King Conservation District board of supervisors following a final canvassing of votes in a milestone internet-based election ending Tuesday, March 15.

The results follow completion of the final voter signature reconciliation.

The vote tallies for elected board position No. 2 included:

Eric Nelson, Duvall —------------- 1,292 (56.2%)

Douglas "Bruce" Elliott, Kent –----- 820 (35.7%)

Teri Herrera, Redmond –------------ 129 ( 5.6%)

Preston Prudente, Sammamish------ 54 ( 2.3%)

Write-in votes -------------------------- 4 ( 0.2%)

In one of the first elections of its kind in the United States, King Conservation District's 30-day, online election began February 15. The district also provided an in-person voting option at the district's offices in Renton on the final day of the election.

The Washington Conservation Commission at its May 16 business meeting will certify the unofficial election results from the district-wide election. Nelson, who will serve a three-year term, will be sworn in at the King Conservation District Board of Supervisors June meeting.

The King Conservation District encompasses most of King County and delivers natural resources information and technical and funding assistance for stewardship efforts by landowners. It is one of 46 conservation districts in Washington State.

The election was conducted for the King Conservation District through Election Trust of Bellevue and Scytl USA of Washington, D.C.

"The 2011 election was an important building block for future online elections held by the District," said King Conservation District Board Chairman Bill Knutsen in a news release. "In the long term, we believe online voting remains the best option to broaden voter participation in the King Conservation District election process."

Knutsen said providing a secure voting process in this pioneering internet-based election was an important goal from the beginning.

"We understand the two-step process of confirming a voter's eligibility, followed by voting, was a new experience for voters participating in their first online election," said Knutsen. "In the end the process provided the best means for election security and integrity."

Elections for the King Conservation District and other conservation districts in Washington State are conducted pursuant to guidelines established by State law with oversight from the Washington State Conservation Commission, an agency created to assist and guide conservation district activities in Washington.

King Conservation District board members serve voluntary, three-year terms.

The five-member board includes three elected members and two appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission. All supervisors serve three-year terms. As public officials, their responsibility is to ensure that the Conservation District meets its legal and public-trust obligations. The board of supervisors conducts regular public meetings to oversee the District's budget and provide policy guidance and oversight to the District staff.

The King Conservation District provides information and funding and technical assistance to landowners within the District's boundaries. The District initiates community outreach activities that include workshops, education programs, site visits, farm plans and consultation on land, water, and wildlife management.