SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1468

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 of March 22, 2017

Title: An act relating to extending the time period for voter registration to no later than eleven days before the day of a primary, special election, or general election.

Brief Description: Concerning voter registration.

Sponsors: Representatives Manweller, Fitzgibbon, Griffey, Hudgins, Jinkins, Haler, Riccelli, Kilduff, Pollet and Doglio; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/01/17, 84-14.

Committee Activity: State Government: 3/22/17.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Moves the deadline to register to vote by any method to 11 days before an election.

  • Moves the deadline to update an existing voter registration to 28 days before an election, then to 11 days before an election once the voter registration database allows transfers of registrations between counties.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: Voter Registration Deadlines. To register to vote, a person must submit an application via mail or an online registration no later than 29 days before the day of the next primary, special, or general election, or in-person at their county auditor's office no later than 8 days before the election.

A person may update voter registration at least 29 days before an election for the change to be effective for that election. A voter who does not transfer the voter's residential information by that deadline may still vote, but will vote in races affecting the voter's previous address.

Statewide Voter Registration Database. The Secretary of State maintains a statewide voter registration database that is the official list of registered voters for all elections. The database includes voter information received on registration forms.

Summary of Bill: Voter registration deadlines are modified. To register to vote in an upcoming election, a person must submit an application via mail, electronically, or at any location where voter registration applications are accepted no later than 11 days before the election.

A person must update their voter registration at least 28 days before an election for the change to be effective for that election. Once the voter registration database provides for the transfer of a voter's registration from one county to another, the deadline for updating voter registrations is moved to 11 days before an election.

If a voter registration deadline falls on a federal or state holiday, the deadline will be moved to the day after that holiday.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: The bill contains several effective dates. Please refer to the bill.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: We currently have three deadlines for voter registration; this bill simply picks one compromise date. It will clear up public confusion, increase registration, and help clean up inaccuracies on the voter rolls. The bill provides an additional 18 days of online and mail registration while maintaining security. Currently, universities have only two weeks to conduct voter registration drives for incoming freshmen and update existing registrations. This will increase voter turnout and participation.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Matt Manweller, Prime Sponsor; James Paribello, Voting Justice Coalition; David Elliott, Office of the Secretary of State; Benjamin Rowe, Associated Students of Eastern Washington University and the Washington Student Association; Cindy Black, Fix Democracy First.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.