FINAL BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5043

                                  C 186 L 91

                              SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Authorizing facsimile filing of election documents.

SPONSORS:Senators Nelson, Bailey, Vognild and Amondson; by request of Secretary of State.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

BACKGROUND:

The state of Washington has no procedure for filing of election documents by facsimile transmission to the Secretary of State or county auditors.

SUMMARY:

Certain election documents may be transmitted by electronic facsimile and shall be accepted and filed by the Secretary of State or a county auditor when the documents are legible, filed on time and satisfy state requirements as to form and content.  The documents that may be filed include declarations and affidavits of candidacy, county canvass reports, candidates' pamphlet statements, arguments for and against ballot measures that will appear in a voter's pamphlet, requests for recounts, certification of candidates and measures by the Secretary of State, direction by the Secretary of State for the conduct of a mandatory recount, requests for absentee ballots, and any other election related document authorized by rule.  If the original document must be signed, the original must be filed subsequent to receipt of the fax copy by a specified deadline.  The Secretary of State shall adopt rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement this act.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      48    0

House 96    0     (House amended)

Senate      42    0     (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:  July 28, 1991