HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1520
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government & Tribal Relations
Title: An act relating to calendar election dates on ballot envelopes.
Brief Description: Concerning calendar election dates on ballot envelopes.
Sponsors: Representatives Morgan, Hudgins, Rude, Mead, Stonier, Frame, Riccelli, Appleton, Pellicciotti, Kilduff, Doglio and Reeves.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government & Tribal Relations: 1/30/19, 2/19/19 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL RELATIONS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Gregerson, Chair; Pellicciotti, Vice Chair; Goehner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Dolan, Hudgins and Smith.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Walsh, Ranking Minority Member; Mosbrucker.
Staff: Jason Zolle (786-7124).
Background:
Washington allows voting by mail, and the county auditor must send each voter a ballot. The auditor must also send a security envelope in which the voter can conceal the ballot after voting, along with a larger envelope in which to return the security envelope.
The county auditor must provide notice for any election between five and 15 days prior to the deadline for mail-in voter registration. Notice must be published in one or more newspapers and it must contain information about the date of the election, the offices or measures appearing on the ballot, voter registration, and how to obtain a ballot.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
The county auditor must prominently display the date of the election on the envelope in which a voter receives a ballot and other election materials. The date must be printed in bold type at least size 20 font. This requirement is implemented in phases: it applies to general elections beginning in 2020, primary elections beginning in 2021, and all elections in 2022 and thereafter.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill changes the envelope that is required to state the date of the election from the return envelope to the envelope in which the voter receives the ballot and other materials. The substitute bill requires the date to be printed prominently in bold type at least size 20 font. The substitute bill also implements this requirement in general elections beginning in 2020, primary elections beginning in 2021, and all elections in 2022 and after.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Last session the state passed laws to eliminate barriers to simplify the voting process so all eligible voters have access to democracy, and this bill is a simple but meaningful change to continue to increase access. Even sweepstakes envelopes have a date stamped on the outside of the envelope stating when the recipient has to respond by. Why wouldn't this same information be on the ballot envelope? The date of the election is printed on the ballot, but it uses a small font, is printed in black ink, and blends in with other text.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Morgan, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.