H-2258              _______________________________________________

                                           SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 631

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By House Committee on Constitution, Elections & Ethics (originally sponsored by Representatives Fisch, Fisher, Cole, Dellwo, Rust, P. King, Wang and Wineberry)

Read first time 3/8/85 and passed to Committee on Rules.

AN ACT Relating to elections; amending RCW 29.07.160 and 29.13.047; and adding a new section to chapter 29.07 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 29.07 RCW to read as follows:

          After the closing of registration for voting at the polls under RCW 29.07.160, but not later than fifteen days preceding any primary, special election, or general election,  unregistered qualified electors may register in person in the office of the county auditor  of the county in which they reside, and apply for an absentee ballot for that primary or election.  The auditor or voter registrar shall register that individual in the manner provided in this chapter.  The application for an absentee ballot executed by the newly registered voter for the primary or election that follows the execution of the registration shall be promptly transmitted to the auditor with the completed voter registration form.

        Sec. 2.  Section 29.07.160, chapter 9, Laws of 1965 as last amended by section 4, chapter 3, Laws of 1980 and RCW 29.07.160 are each amended to read as follows:

          The registration files of all precincts shall be closed against original registration or transfers for thirty days immediately preceding every primary, special election, and general election ((and primary)) to be held in such precincts((, respectively)).

          The county auditor shall give notice of the closing of ((said)) the precinct files for original registration and transfer and of the procedures for late registration and absentee ballots under section 1 of this 1985 act by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least five days before such closing((, except as provided for special elections in accordance with section 3 of this 1980 act)).

No person may vote at any primary, special election, or general election in any precinct polling place unless he or she has registered to vote at least thirty days prior to that primary or election.  If a person, otherwise qualified to vote in the state, county, and precinct in which he or she applies for registration, does not register at least thirty days preceding any primary, special election, or general election, he or she may register and vote by absentee ballot for that primary or election under section 1 of this 1985 act.

        Sec. 3.  Section 2, chapter 4, Laws of 1973 as last amended by section 4, chapter 144, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. and RCW 29.13.047 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Whenever ((state officers)) federal offices, state-wide offices, or state measures are voted upon at a state primary, special election, or state general election ((held in  an odd-numbered year as provided for in RCW 29.13.010)), the state of Washington shall assume ((its))  a prorated share of ((such election)) the costs of that state primary, special election, or state general election.

(2)  The county auditor shall apportion the state's share of ((such)) these expenses when prorating election costs ((as provided)) under RCW ((29.04.020 and)) 29.13.045 and shall file such expense claims with the secretary of state.

(3) The secretary of state shall include in his or her biennial budget requests ((a provision for)) sufficient funds to carry out the provisions of this section.  ((Payments hereunder)) Reimbursements for election costs shall be from appropriations specifically provided for ((such)) that purpose by law.