HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1009

Indicating the citizenship requirement for Hearing Date:  1/20/99

voter registration

Brief Title

Reps.  Buck and Radcliff                  Staff:  Steve Lundin

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                             Phone:  786- 7127

BACKGROUND:

Several different programs exist for persons to register to vote.  Each voter registration form requires the applicant to attest that he or she is a citizen of the United States and a warning that it is a class C felony to provide false information.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 establishes various requirements for registering persons to vote at any election where federal offices are considered.  Registration by mail must be allowed.  A person must be offered the opportunity to register to vote when he or she applies for a driver's license, public assistance or disability services.

SUMMARY:

(1)  All newly printed voter registration forms must clearly indicate that only United States citizens may register to vote.  Similar language must be stamped conspicuously onto existing voter registration forms in the possession of the Office of the Secretary of State.

(2)  The state's motor voter registration law is altered to require the licensing agent to ask the following as a single question:

"Are you a United States citizen and do you want to register to vote or transfer your voter registration?"

The agent must provide the applicant with a voter registration form if the applicant responds in the affirmative to this inquiry.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.