SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1217

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,

                               FEBRUARY 19, 1992

Brief Description:  Extending the voter registration period.

SPONSORS:Representatives Wineberry, McLean, Dellwo, Jones, Wang, Riley, Pruitt and Anderson.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Madsen, and Sutherland.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Hearing Dates:April 2, 1991; February 19, 1992

BACKGROUND:

State law requires that the registration files of precincts be closed for 30 days immediately preceding each primary or election. 

SUMMARY:

A qualified but unregistered elector may register to vote in a primary or election after the close of the precinct registration files for that primary or election but not later than 15 days before the primary or election under a special registration and absentee ballot voting procedure.  The person may vote only by absentee ballot.  The county auditor must publish notice of this procedure.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

In a mobile society, this procedure will allow people to vote who otherwise couldn't through no fault of their own.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Lael Braymer, League of Women Voters; Karen Flynn, Kitsap County Auditor; Gary McIntosh, Office of Secretary of State; Representative Jesse Wineberry