Gregoire changed the rules as AG in a 1998 recount.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1297209/posts
"At the time of certification for the General Election, the ballots in question “were accounted for in the mail ballot report as signature mis-comparisons.” Therefore, the Canvassing Board voted not to count these and other ballots with signature problems.
No one raised this issue during the first count, or the machine recount."
Murry Mom,
I'd be interested in your response to this 1998 memo, by Christine Gregoire as WA state A.G.:
http://www.orbusmax.com/cg120704.html
Here is what the memo says:
"Challenge of Ballots Not Allowed. We are advised by the Attorney General that state law makes no provision for the challenge of ballots or voters (as provided in RCW29.10.125) during the recount.
The recount procedure provided for by statute is a mechanical function of re-tallying the ballots cast and accepted as valid by the precinct election officers or the canvassing board during the canvass of the election.
The decision of the canvassing board with respect to the inclusion or exclusion of a particular ballot during the canvass is not open to question during the recount."