A charter amendment for an elected auditor has been the goal of Republicans ever since the ruckus over the election of Gov. Chris Gregoire and the role King County played in the two recounts.

Republicans have felt voters got a raw deal and that the problems of the system are endemic. Two review groups have suggested the county join Washington's 38 other counties in electing the boss of the election system.

County executive Ron Sims says King County elections are so complicated that it makes sense to have an appointed person capable of running such an election. He says electing an auditor would just add one more bureaucrat who would have to hire a qualified elections official.

Democrats hold a 5-to-4 edge on the council, and it had been considered likely that the GOP call for a charter amendment would fail.

But Tuesday, Democrat Bob Ferguson joined the Republicans, providing the needed fifth vote.

"My feeling is that, actually, you trust more in someone who is accountable to you," he said. "Inherently, that relationship inspires an inherent trust. That person is accountable only to you, not some other elected official."

Sims says he is disappointed and dismayed that Ferguson joined four Republicans intent of tearing the system down.

"In my opinion, this is just one more effort to destabilize the entire election system," Sims said. "And that's not appropriate. That's inappropriate conduct. That's simply not appropriate."

There will be a series of public hearings during August or early September. If the Charter Amendment is approved by the council by Sept. 15, it would appear on the November ballot.

If the measure is adopted by the voters, a special election for auditor could be held in 2007.