SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1648

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, APRIL 1, 1993

Brief Description:  Extending the voter registration period.

SPONSORS: Representatives Wineberry, Anderson, Veloria, Pruitt, King, Springer, Leonard and J. Kohl

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, Oke, and Winsley.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates: March 30, 1993; April 1, 1993

BACKGROUND:

State law requires that the registration files of precincts be closed to original voter registrations or transfers for 30 days immediately preceding each primary or election.  At least five days before the precinct files are closed, the county auditor must publish a notice of the closing of the files.

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 under a special registration and absentee ballot voting procedure.  Such a person must register in person in the office of the county auditor or at a location designated by the auditor and must register not later that the 15th day before the primary or election.  The person may vote only by absentee ballot.  Upon registering, the person must immediately apply for an absentee ballot.  The person's registration form and absentee ballot application are to be promptly transmitted to the county auditor.

The county must publish a notice regarding this special registration and absentee ballot voting procedure when the auditor announces the closing of the precinct files.

No person may vote in a precinct polling place at the primary or election unless he or she has registered to vote at least 30 days before that primary or election.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Several unrelated amendments were offered.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Cathy Pearsall-Stipek, Pierce County Auditor; Don Whiting, Secretary of State's office