HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                      Olympia, Washington

Bill Analysis      Bill No. HB 1638

Permit absentee ballot request/election/primary day  Public Hrg:  1/14/98

Brief Title                                    

Rep.Kessler (Sec. of State  Req.)                         Staff Contact: S. Lundin

Sponsor                                    Comm. on Govt. Admin.

                                           Phone: 786-7127

BACKGROUND:

A registered voter may request an absentee ballot for a single primary or election or may become an ongoing absentee voter and receive an absentee ballot for all subsequent primaries and elections.

A request for an absentee ballot must be made no earlier than 45 days, nor later than the day before, the primary or election for which it is issued.  However, a voter who is both confined to a hospital and who was admitted to the hospital five or fewer days before a primary or election may apply by messenger for an absentee ballot on the day of the primary or election.  The application must include a signed statement by the hospital administrator, or designee, verifying the voter=s date of admission and status as a patient on the day of the primary or election.

SUMMARY:

A voter may apply for an absentee ballot on the day of the primary or election.

A signed statement by a hospital administrator verifying a voter=s date of admission and status as a patient is no longer required to be included with the special application for an absentee ballot that a voter confined to a hospital on the day of the primary or election may submit by messenger to the county auditor.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.