Brief Description: Requiring elections to be conducted by mail ballot.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunt, Haigh, Williams, Miloscia and McDermott.

Hearing Date: 2/22/05

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

A county auditor may designate a precinct as a mail ballot precinct if it has fewer than 200 active registered voters, excluding ongoing absentee voters. If the auditor designates a precinct as a mail ballot precinct, he or she must notify all registered voters in the precinct by mail that all future elections will be conducted by mail. If the number of active registered voters in the precinct increases to over 200, or the auditor decides to return to a polling place election environment, the auditor must notify voters by mail and provide the address of the polling place.

Summary of Bill:

Beginning January 1, 2008, all elections must be conducted by mail ballot. Prior to January 1, 2008, all elections may be conducted by mail ballot. All vote by mail elections must provide disability access voting.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 16, 2005.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.