"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The uniform application of election laws, rules, and procedures is of the paramount importance to the citizens of this state. It is the intent of the legislature to make all voting precincts in each county have the same population, as nearly as is practical. This act therefore applies to all counties, including without limitation counties operating under a home rule charter.

Sec. 2   RCW 29A.16.040 and 2004 c 266 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     The county legislative authority of each county in the state ((hereafter formed)) shall((, at their first session,)) divide their respective counties into election precincts and establish the boundaries of the precincts. Within each county, all precincts must have the same number of active registered voters, as nearly as is practical. The county auditor shall thereupon designate the voting place for each such precinct or whether the precinct is a vote by mail precinct.
     (1) Precinct boundaries may be altered at any time as long as sufficient time exists prior to a given election for the necessary procedural steps to be honored. Except as permitted under subsection (((5))) (3) of this section, no precinct boundaries may be changed during the period starting on the thirtieth day prior to the first day for candidates to file for the primary election and ending with the day of the general election.
     (2) The county legislative authority may establish by ordinance a limitation on the maximum number of active registered voters in each precinct within its jurisdiction. ((The limitation may be different for precincts based upon the method of voting used for such precincts and the number may be less than the number established by law, but in no case may the number exceed that authorized by law.
     (3) Precincts in which voting machines or electronic voting devices are used may contain as many as nine hundred active registered voters. The number of poll-site ballot counting devices at each polling place is at the discretion of the auditor. The number of devices must be adequate to meet the expected voter turnout.
     (4) On petition of twenty-five or more voters resident more than ten miles from any polling site, the county legislative authority shall establish a separate voting precinct therefor.
     (5))) (3) The county auditor shall temporarily adjust precinct boundaries when a city or town annexes unincorporated territory to the city or town, or whenever unincorporated territory is incorporated as a city or town. The adjustment must be made as soon as possible after the approval of the annexation or incorporation. The temporary adjustment must be limited to the minimum changes necessary to accommodate the addition of the territory to the city or town, or to establish the eligible voters within the boundaries of the new city or town, and remains in effect only until precinct boundary modifications reflecting the annexation or incorporation are adopted by the county legislative authority.
     (((6))) (4) In determining the number of active registered voters for the purposes of this section, persons who are ongoing absentee voters under RCW 29A.40.040 shall not be counted. Nothing in this subsection may be construed as altering the vote tallying requirements of RCW 29A.60.230.

Sec. 3   RCW 29A.16.050 and 2003 c 111 s 405 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Every voting precinct must be wholly within a single congressional district, a single legislative district, a single district of a county legislative authority, and, if applicable, a single city.
     (2) Every voting precinct shall be composed, as nearly as practicable, of contiguous and compact areas.
     (3) Except as provided in this subsection, changes to the boundaries of any precinct shall follow visible, physical features delineated on the most current maps provided by the United States census bureau. A change need not follow such visible, physical features if (a) it is necessitated by an annexation or incorporation and the proposed precinct boundary is identical to an exterior boundary of the annexed or incorporated area which does not follow a visible, physical feature; ((or)) (b) doing so would substantially impair election administration in the involved area; or (c) doing so would result in an unequal number of active registered voters among the various precincts of that county.
     (4) After a change to precinct boundaries is adopted by the county legislative authority, if the change does not follow visible physical features, the county auditor shall send to the secretary of state an electronic or paper copy of the description, a map or maps of the changes, and a statement of the applicable exception under subsection (3) of this section. For boundary changes made pursuant to subsection (3)(b) of this section, the auditor shall include a statement of the reasons why following visible, physical features would have substantially impaired election administration.
     (5) Every voting precinct within each county shall be designated by number for the purpose of preparation of maps and the tabulation of population for apportionment purposes. These precincts may be identified with names or other numbers for other election purposes.
     (6) After a change to precinct boundaries in a city or town, the county auditor shall send one copy of the map or maps delineating the new precinct boundaries within that city or town to the city or town clerk.
     (7) Precinct maps are public records and shall be available for inspection by the public during normal office hours in the offices where they are kept. Copies shall be made available to the public for a fee necessary to cover the cost of reproduction.

Sec. 4   RCW 29A.16.060 and 2003 c 111 s 406 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((At any special election or primary, the county auditor may combine, unite, or divide precincts and may combine or unite election boards for the purpose of holding such election.)) At any general election, the county auditor may combine or unite election boards for the purpose of holding such election, but shall report all election returns by individual precinct."