Last night KIRO 7 investigative reporter Chris Halsne broke the story about the 24,000 felons who will receive ballots this election -- regardless of whether their voting rights are restored. Red County's John Barnes wrote about the report here.

The Secretary of State's election officers are in full spin mode, ignoring the fact that state law mandates a process for the office to follow when a felon is found on the voter database. The Associated Press has this story where the Elections chief Nick Handy attacks KIRO's credibility.

Handy is also demanding more guidance on which felons are allowed to vote. Last year the Washington Supreme ruled that felons who have been released from prison must still pay court-ordered fees before they are eligible to vote. The Evergreen Freedom Foundation's Jonathan Bechtle has some suggestions about how the Secretary of State should handle the crisis.

Let me say this: Secretary of State Sam Reed is quick to point out the improvements he's made to the security of our elections. He deserves praise what he's done. But why, then, is his office attacking the reporters and citizen watchdogs who are trying to help improve the system?

The problem caught national attention today, with the story featured on the Drudge Report and CNN's Lou Dobbs Show.