1529-S AMH CHAB REIL 023
SHB 1529 - H AMD 1035
By Representative Chandler
On page 5, after line 13, insert the following:
"Sec. 2. RCW 29A.08.010 and 2006 c 320 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
As used in this chapter: "Information required for voter registration" means the minimum information provided on a voter registration application that is required by the county auditor in order to place a voter registration applicant on the voter registration rolls. This information includes:
(1) Name;
(2) Residential address;
(3) Date of birth;
(4) Washington state driver's license number or Washington state identification card number, or the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number if the applicant does not have a Washington state driver's license or Washington state identification card;
(5) A signature attesting to the truth of the information provided on the application; ((and))
(6) A check or indication in the box confirming the individual is a United States citizen; and
(7) A check or indication in the box confirming that the individual has not been convicted of a felony and, if the individual has been convicted of a felony, that voting rights have been restored.
The residential address provided must identify the actual physical residence of the voter in Washington, as defined in RCW 29A.04.151, with detail sufficient to allow the voter to be assigned to the proper precinct and to locate the voter to confirm his or her residence for purposes of verifying qualification to vote under Article VI, section 1 of the state Constitution. A residential address may be either a traditional address or a nontraditional address. A traditional address consists of a street number and name, optional apartment number or unit number, and city or town, as assigned by a local government, which serves to identify the parcel or building of residence and the unit if a multiunit residence. A nontraditional address consists of a narrative description of the location of the voter's residence, and may be used when a traditional address has not been assigned to the voter's residence. If the postal service does not deliver mail to the voter's residential address, or the voter prefers to receive mail at a different address, the voter may separately provide the mailing address at which they receive mail. Any mailing address provided shall be used only for mail delivery purposes and not for precinct assignment or confirmation of residence for voter qualification purposes.
If the individual does not have a driver's license, state identification card, or Social Security number, the registrant must be issued a unique voter registration number in order to be placed on the voter registration rolls. All other information supplied is ancillary and not to be used as grounds for not registering an applicant to vote. Modification of the language of the official Washington state voter registration form by the voter will not be accepted and will cause the rejection of the registrant's application.
Sec. 3. RCW 29A.08.110 and 2005 c 246 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) An application is considered complete only if it contains the applicant's name, complete valid residence address, date of birth, signature attesting to the truth of the information provided, a mark in the check-off box confirming United States citizenship, a mark in the check-off box confirming no felony conviction or, if the applicant has a felony conviction, proof of restoration of voting rights, and an indication that the provided driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security number has been confirmed by the secretary of state. If it is not complete, the auditor shall promptly mail a verification notice of the deficiency to the applicant. This verification notice shall require the applicant to provide the missing information. If the verification notice is not returned by the applicant within forty-five days or is returned as undeliverable, the name of the applicant shall not be placed on the official list of registered voters. If the applicant provides the required verified information, the applicant shall be registered to vote as of the original date of mailing or date of delivery, whichever is applicable.
(2) If the information required in subsection (1) of this section is complete, the applicant is considered to be registered to vote as of the original date of mailing or date of delivery, whichever is applicable. The auditor shall record the appropriate precinct identification, taxing district identification, and date of registration on the voter's record in the state voter registration list. Within forty-five days after the receipt of an application but no later than seven days before the next primary, special election, or general election, the auditor shall send to the applicant, by first- class mail, an acknowledgement notice identifying the registrant's precinct and containing such other information as may be required by the secretary of state. The postal service shall be instructed not to forward a voter registration card to any other address and to return to the auditor any card which is not deliverable.
(3) If an acknowledgement notice card is properly mailed as required by this section to the address listed by the voter as being the voter's mailing address and the notice is subsequently returned to the auditor by the postal service as being undeliverable to the voter at that address, the auditor shall promptly send the voter a confirmation notice. The auditor shall place the voter's registration on inactive status pending a response from the voter to the confirmation notice."
Renumber the sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
On page 8, after line 9, insert the following:
"Sec. 7. RCW 29A.08.210 and 2005 c 246 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
An applicant for voter registration shall complete an application providing the following information concerning his or her qualifications as a voter in this state:
(1) The address of the last former registration of the applicant as a voter in the state;
(2) The applicant's full name;
(3) The applicant's date of birth;
(4) The address of the applicant's residence for voting purposes;
(5) The mailing address of the applicant if that address is not the same as the address in subsection (4) of this section;
(6) The sex of the applicant;
(7) The applicant's Washington state driver's license number or Washington state identification card number, or the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number if he or she does not have a Washington state driver's license or Washington state identification card;
(8) A check box for the applicant to indicate that he or she does not have a Washington state driver's license, Washington state identification card, or Social Security number;
(9) A check box allowing the applicant to indicate that he or she is a member of the armed forces, national guard, or reserves, or that he or she is an overseas voter;
(10) A check box allowing the applicant to confirm that he or she is at least eighteen years of age;
(11) A check box allowing the applicant to indicate whether he or she has ever been convicted of a felony;
(12) Clear and conspicuous language, designed to draw the applicant's attention, stating that the applicant must be a United States citizen in order to register to vote;
(((12))) (13) A check box and declaration confirming that the applicant is a citizen of the United States;
(((13))) (14) The following warning:
"If you knowingly provide false information on this voter registration form or knowingly make a false declaration about your qualifications for voter registration you will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both."
(((14))) (15) The following affirmation by the applicant:
"By signing this document, I hereby assert, under penalty of perjury, that I am legally eligible to vote. If I am found to have voted illegally, I may be prosecuted and/or fined for this illegal act. In addition, I hereby acknowledge that my name and last known address will be forwarded to the appropriate state and/or federal authorities if I am found to have voted illegally."
(((15))) (16) The oath required by RCW 29A.08.230 and a space for the applicant's signature; and
(((16))) (17) Any other information that the secretary of state determines is necessary to establish the identity of the applicant and prevent duplicate or fraudulent voter registrations.
This information shall be recorded on a single registration form to be prescribed by the secretary of state.
If the applicant fails to provide the information required for voter registration, the auditor shall send the applicant a verification notice. The applicant may not be registered until the required information is provided. If a verification notice is returned as undeliverable or the applicant fails to respond to the notice within forty-five days, the applicant shall not be registered to vote."
Renumber the sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
On page 21, after line 14, insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 22. Sections 2, 3, and 7 of this act take effect January 1, 2009."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Requires that an application for voter registration must contain a check-off box for the applicant to confirm that he or she has not been convicted of a felony. If indication is made that a felony conviction has occurred, the application may not be processed unless proof of restoration of voting rights is presented. Those sections of the bill pertaining new information required on a voter registration application take effect January 1, 2009.