This week Washingtonvotes.org issued its “Missed Votes” report. In the past we’ve had legislators miss votes for health reasons. A few years back one legislator — state Rep. William Eickmeyer, D-Belfair — had back pain so bad he’d lie on his back in his office and wait to hear from House Speaker Frank Chopp if he needed a vote.

Most votes are not close, as illustrated here. When this report comes out each year we all look at the sheer numbers, but it’s also good to look at the margins on each vote. That’s why on the chart below you’ll see the closest vote each legislator missed.

Those with double-digit misses on the list of the 10 Kitsap legislators during the most recent session were because of multiple votes on single days the legislators missed. Many of Sherry Appleton’s misses were at a time when her mother died or she was attending her mother’s memorial services. Jan Angel only missed votes during a special session in May 2011. Kathy Haigh’s misses were in April 2011.

Not one missed vote would have changed the ultimate outcome. In some parts that’s because legislative leaders know better than to allow a vote when the outcome is in doubt.

Here is the graphic of Kitsap Legislators during the 2011-12 legislative session.