HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No.  HB 1505

Requiring absentee ballots to be signed

by 8:00 p.m. on election day.

Brief Title                               Hearing Date: 2/9/99

Reps. Eriksen, McMorris and Schmidt, K.    Staff: Steve Lundin

Sponsor(s)                          State Government Committee

                                              Phone:  786-7127

BACKGROUND:

Absentee ballots and mail ballots may only be counted if:

oThe voter for whom the ballot was issued has signed the outer return envelope in which the ballot is placed.

oThe outer return envelope is post marked on or before the day of the primary or election for which it was received.  However, if the post mark is not legible, or an overseas voter or service voter casts the ballot, the date on the outer return envelope when the voter attests to have cast the ballot must be on or before the date of the primary or election for which the ballot was issued.

oThe ballot was received by the county auditor prior to certification of the election results.

The Secretary of State has adopted a rule providing that if a voter fails to sign the affidavit on the outer return envelop, the auditor must notify the voter and allow the voter to sign the affidavit no later than the day before the election results are certified.

SUMMARY:

An absentee ballot or mail ballot may only be counted if the voter for whom the ballot was issued signs the outer return envelope no later than 8:00 p.m. on the day of the primary or election for which it was issued.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

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