Overseas and Service Voters.
The federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) permits many United States (U.S.) service members and U.S. citizens residing outside the country to vote absentee for federal offices. Washington permits such absentee voting for state offices as well.
Ballots must be mailed to overseas and service voters at least 45 days before each primary or general election. Overseas and service voters must be given a return envelope that enables them to vote postage-free if returned through the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Armed Forces Postal Service, or the postal service of a U.S. Foreign Embassy. Overseas and service voters are also permitted to return their ballots by fax or email. County auditors must provide instructions to these voters on how they may do so.
Statewide Voters' Pamphlet.
Production.
The Washington Constitution requires the Secretary of State (Secretary) to send a publication containing ballot measures referred to the people, along with arguments for and against, to each individual place of residence in the state. By statute, the Secretary also must send a voters' pamphlet if a statewide candidate appears on the ballot.
Contents.
The statewide voters' pamphlet must contain:
Candidates may include a photograph and information to contact their campaign and, for partisan offices, a statement of political party preference or independent status.
The statewide voters' pamphlet must also provide contact information for the Public Disclosure Commission, which regulates campaign finance, and major political parties.
Distribution.
The Secretary must distribute the statewide voters' pamphlet to each household in the state, as well as to public libraries and other locations the Secretary deems appropriate. The Secretary must produce a taped or Braille transcript of the pamphlet to send to anyone who requests it. The Secretary may distribute the voters' pamphlet in electronic form to computer networks, print and broadcast news, and similar services.
Local Voters' Pamphlets.
Production.
Up until July 1, 2021, counties, first-class cities, and code cities are permitted by statute to produce a local voters' pamphlet. To do so they must adopt an ordinance authorizing the creation of the pamphlet at least 90 days before a primary or general election or at least 40 days before a special election. The ordinance may provide for a pamphlet at a specific election or for any future elections.
Because of legislation passed last session, beginning on July 1, 2021, each county auditor must produce a local voters' pamphlet for the entire county.
Some counties have instead signed interlocal agreements with the Secretary to have local information about elections included with the statewide voters' pamphlet sent out by the Secretary. In those situations, the county produces the local content for the Secretary to include. Voters in those jurisdictions receive one pamphlet that includes all statewide and local elections.
Contents.
The local voters' pamphlet must include information about ballot measures within the jurisdiction and may include information about candidates in the jurisdiction. The format of the pamphlet must mirror the statewide pamphlet whenever applicable. Ballot measures must also include explanatory statements prepared by the prosecuting attorney for the county or by the jurisdiction's attorney, as well as statements for and against. If the pamphlet includes races for office, candidates must be permitted to submit a statement and may be permitted to submit a photograph.
Distribution.
The local voters' pamphlet must be sent to every residence in each jurisdiction that has included information in the pamphlet. If it will be more economical and efficient, a pamphlet can be instead sent to every registered voter in the jurisdiction. Local voters' pamphlets must be sent "as soon as practicable" before an election.
Overseas and service voters may request that the county auditor mail them a statewide and local voters' pamphlet. County auditors must mail pamphlets at the same time as ballots or as soon as practicable thereafter.
The deadline for the OFM to submit fiscal impact statements for state ballot measures, which are included in the statewide voters' pamphlet, is moved from August 10 to July 15.
The substitute bill provides that state and local voters' pamphlets are sent to service or overseas voters only if requested by the voter. It also provides that state voters' pamphlets are sent to service and overseas voters by county auditors, rather than the Secretary of State. Pamphlets may be mailed "as soon as practicable" after ballots are sent.
(In support) This bill makes sure that soldiers overseas have not just a ballot but a voters' pamphlet to help explain who the candidates are. Some service members do not have electronic access or have limited time to use the Internet to visit with their families, and they would like a paper copy of the pamphlet to read through when it is convenient for them to do so. Service and overseas members should receive the same access to information as domestic voters. The challenges with the bill as drafted are timing and cost. A substitute bill that will be proposed is part of an agreement to increase efficiency and defray cost. It will ensure that service and overseas voters have the ability to receive a printed pamphlet if they request one from the county auditor. It also maintains the longstanding practice that pamphlets are mailed to the voter from the county in which they are registered.
(Opposed) None.
No new changes were recommended.
(In support) It is difficult to receive and process information when serving overseas. It is important for military personnel to get copies of the voters' pamphlet in addition to the ballots. The requirement that county auditors provide state and local voters' pamphlets at the request of overseas and military voters greatly reduces the cost to the state.
(Opposed) None.