Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

State Government & Tribal Relations Committee

HB 1292

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.

Background:

Before June 30, 2019, a person wishing to register to vote must submit a registration electronically or by mail no later than 29 days before the election date, or in person at his or her county auditor's office no later than eight days before the election date. A person who is already registered to vote may update his or her voter registration no later than 29 days before the date of the election.

Beginning June 30, 2019, a person wishing to register to vote may: submit an application electronically or by mail that is received no later than eight days before the election date, register in person up to 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election, or update their already existing registration by various methods up to 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election. In-person registration must take place at the county auditor's office, the division of elections if in a separate city form the county auditor's office, a voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor.

The applicant is considered registered to vote as of the date of mailing, date of delivery, or when the person will be at least 18 years old by the next general election, whichever is applicable. For voter registration applications sent by mail, the date of mailing, meaning the date of the postal cancellation on the application, is the date used to determine if the application was received by the registration deadline. If the postal cancellation is illegible, then the date that the elections official receives the application is used. If the application is received by the county auditor or the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) by the close of business on the fifth day after the deadline for registration, and the postal cancellation is illegible, then the application is considered to have arrived timely.

A person may also register to vote when he or she applies for service or assistance and with each renewal, recertification, or change of address, at the Department of Licensing and at certain agencies as designated by the Governor in consultation with the Secretary of State (Secretary). The designated agencies include certain divisions within the Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Health, Heath Care Authority, Health Benefits Exchange (Exchange), and Department of Services for the Blind.

In addition, beginning July 1, 2019, an automatic voter registration procedure is available for enhanced driver's license and Identicard applicants and persons receiving services through the Exchange. The automatic voter registration procedure is also available at additional agencies as designated by the Governor in consultation with the Secretary.

Summary of Bill:

The use of the date of mailing for voter registration purposes is removed. Rather, the date that an election official receives a voter registration application is the registration date for the purpose of registering and meeting the registration deadline for all methods of voter registration, except for automatic voter registration during an application or renewal of an enhanced driver's license or identicard. An election official is any staff member of the OSOS or a staff member of the county auditor's office.

For voter registration applications received electronically, an application must be received by midnight of the registration deadline. Voter registration applications submitted by mail must be received by the close of business of the registration deadline.

A person who is already registered to vote and wishes to change their address in person must, by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election, appear at the county auditor's office, the division of elections if in a separate city from the county auditor's office, a voting center, or other location designated by the county auditor in his or her county of residence. A request to change a residential address, submitted by any method other than in-person, must be received by an election official no later than 8 days before the election.