The resignation of elections director Dean Logan means King County may not be able to make its 2007 deadline for countywide mail-in voting. But County Executive Ron Sims has not yet given up trying to implement the plan in time for next year's primary election, Sims spokesman Sandeep Kaushik said this morning.

Kaushik said Sims expects a difficult time finding a replacement for Logan "because of what Ron has described as this toxic political environment surrounding King County Elections. ... King County elections has essentially turned into a partisan issue in a way that really undermines our ability to restore public trust and confidence in the election system."

At horsesass, David Goldstein says Logan has "been incessantly vilified by the GOP and their surrogates."

"A colorless bureaucrat in the best sense of the word, Logan has simply had enough of the abuse."

And when Goldstein says surrogates, he includes blogger Stefan Sharkansky, who has written more about Logan than anyone, and none of it nice. He's restrained so far this morning at Sound Politics.

Republicans have definitely made Logan a target. In the 2005 trial on the governor's election, the GOP legal strategy hinged on trying to show corruption in the elections division to steal the election from Dino Rossi. They showed some bumbling to be sure. But Chelan County Superior Court Judge John. Bridges found no corruption.

More recently there has been growing discontent from the left about King County elections and the plan by Sims and Logan to convert to countywide vote-by-mail. As one commenter put it on the liberal washblog site:

"On this issue, there are no Democrats and Republicans and there are no liberals and conservatives. There are only those who value the convenience of elections officials uber alles and those who have a fecking clue what is at stake when we don't have election transparency with checks and balances and public oversight at every step. "

Not all on the left have been open to criticism of the Democrats who run county elections. Washblog's resident vote-by-mail critic has been called on the site the "Right's Useful Idiot," a "paranoid weirdo," a "LaRouchian," and a "flat-earther."

Logan is taking a job in Los Angeles as deputy elections registrar. His new boss is Conny McCormack, who has been a long-time fan of Logan's, dating back to the height of the 2004 election controversy:

When Logan's most acerbic critics likened King County's election conduct to abuses in Ukraine and Chicago, auditors from other counties offered support. Los Angeles County Auditor Conny McCormack conducted media interviews and offered to fly to Seattle.

UPDATE: Here's Logan's statement:

"Dean Logan: Statement on accepting new job as Chief Deputy Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for Los Angeles County

"I have been recruited for and offered a notable opportunity to be the Chief Deputy Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for Los Angeles County, California — the largest elections jurisdiction in the country.

"In one of the most difficult decisions of my career, I have decided to accept the position. Similar to my position in King County, the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk provides an array of public services including elections administration, real property recording, marriage licensing, and custodian of birth/death records. Professionally, this is a rare offer and I am honored by the recognition that my work as a public administrator in King County and in the state of Washington is a match for the challenges of such a large and complex agency."

"It has been a tremendous honor to serve as the Director of King County Records, Elections and Licensing Services. I recall feeling humbled and eager by the trust King County Executive Ron Sims placed in me when he asked me to serve the citizens of King County — and when the Council validated that trust through their confirmation of my appointment in the fall of 2003.

"In the ensuing years, the Records, Elections and Licensing Services Division has faced significant challenges, marked historical milestones, and has participated in what is a continuing transformation of the elections process — locally, statewide and nationally.

"Today, it is with a sense of accomplishment, a degree of disappointment, and a sincere hope for the future that I respectfully notify the King County Executive that I will end my tenure as Director of Records, Elections and Licensing Services effective July 14, 2006.

"My decision to leave is based on several factors:

"First, as I have said, this is an extraordinary professional opportunity.

"Second, my family is at a unique time where a decision to re-locate and seek new horizons is a good fit for us. Establishing ourselves in a new community and in a new professional setting during the summer months allows for a positive family transition.

"Third, a change in leadership at this time allows for a transition period to occur before the fall election cycle. I am committed to assisting with that transition in whatever manner will most benefit the staff and operations of the Records, Elections and Licensing Services Division.

"Finally, the continuing struggle to manage the Records, Elections and Licensing Services Division in what remains a highly politicized and divided structure has led me to question my ability to play a positive leadership role in King County government. My personal and professional disappointment in the recent incivility and disrespectful nature of proceedings with the County Council related to the vote-by-mail proposal has further exaggerated that dynamic.

"I am proud to have been a part of significant changes, improvements and accomplishments in King County over the past three years. Successful implementation of Washington's new pick-a-party primary, the introduction of a quality assurance program, establishing a comprehensive voter outreach and education program, initiating a successful minority language program compliant with the Voting Rights Act, and introducing accessible voting equipment to allow equal access to voting for those with disabilities are among the notable achievements in Elections. Similarly, milestones in volumes of licensing transactions processed and becoming the first county in the state to provide electronic recording of real property transactions have been achieved.

"The difficulties associated with leading an organization that was unable to meet public expectations in 2004 and the remarkable effort and achievement made following the historic gubernatorial election to demonstrate the integrity, security and accountability of elections in King County has been an important and rewarding responsibility.

"I am most proud of resisting the natural urge to abandon things in the heat of controversy and intense scrutiny. Instead, I believed it was important for us to acknowledge our shortcomings and re-establish public credibility.

"Despite the challenges ahead, I believe strongly in the staff of the Records, Elections and Licensing Services Division and their commitment to their work and the citizens they serve. The organization is stronger and more stabilized than it has been for many years and the people in place are up to the challenge of ensuring continuous improvement and implementing further reforms and initiatives as they are presented.

"It is my sincere hope that this organization will continue to grow and thrive — and that the goal of open, accessible and accountable government services will continue to be achieved."