Democracy happens when people vote. It’s a sacred duty and those who watch over our elections need to do so with a deep commitment to keeping the process pure.

Voters, by approving a charter amendment last month that allows them to pick the top elections official, have taken it upon themselves to find that person of wisdom and commitment.

Personally, I wasn’t in favor of the amendment, not because I don’t trust the voters. I am just not convinced we’ll get candidates who have the necessary professional qualifications to run the Elections Division.

What I’ve read so far is that those interested in the job would bring a lot of political baggage to the job. We don’t need job-hoppers. We don’t need gadflies. We don’t need political ideologues.

And, most of all, we don’t need someone who isn’t happy with the election reforms following the disastrous 2004 gubernatorial that didn’t change the results in 2008. Chris Gregoire still won and Dino Rossi still lost.

The reforms have worked. The presidential election on Nov. 4 went smoothly. County officials – and a number of independent task forces – realized our elections process had serious flaws.

Those flaws have been fixed. That battle has been won, although we would expect eternal vigilance.

So, what we DO need is an elections professional who has the experience to make sure the reforms continue to work and are refined. We’re headed to all-mail voting next year. We need someone who can make a difference from day one. Plenty of “fresh eyes” have already had their chance.

County Executive Ron Sims has found out just how hard it is to find a competent professional to run the office. He found one in current director, Sherrill Huff. So, they’re out there.

According to the rules, no certification as an elections administrator is needed, but it must be earned within 30 months after an election.

That’s just too long for on-the-job training.

Let’s hope one – or more – of of those with professional and management experience files for the office starting today, giving voters a real choice on Election Day, Feb. 3.