SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6274
As Passed Senate, February 9, 2000
Title: An act relating to replacement ballots.
Brief Description: Harmonizing procedures for replacement absentee and mail ballots.
Sponsors: Senators Patterson, Wojahn and Winsley.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State & Local Government: 1/20/2000, 1/24/2000 [DP].
Passed Senate, 2/9/2000, 42-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE
& LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn and McCaslin.
Staff: Roger Brodniak (786-7445)
Background: County auditors designate a single location where voters in their county may obtain replacement ballots in a mail-in election. In order to obtain a replacement ballot in a mail-in election, a registered voter must sign a sworn statement indicating that the original ballot was not received, or was destroyed, damaged, spoiled, or lost. The statement must be received by the county auditor no later than the day of the election.
Summary of Bill: For mail-in and ongoing elections, voters may request replacement ballots in person, by telephone, by mail, or by other electronic transmission. The voter may request a new ballot for himself or herself, or any member of his or her immediate family. The request must be received before 8:00 p.m. on election day. Voters may receive a replacement absentee ballot if: (1) they requested an original absentee ballot prior to election day; and (2) their original ballot was received, or was destroyed, damaged, or lost.
County auditors keep a record of all ballots issued, and only count a registered voter=s replacement ballot if the voter=s original ballot is not received.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: It would ease confusion with the replacement ballot process.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Cathy Pearsall-Stipek, Pierce County Auditor (pro).