READ FIRST TIME 02/21/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to election reform; amending RCW 29A.04.008, 29A.04.530, 29A.04.570, 29A.04.611, 29A.08.125, 29A.08.125, 29A.08.605, 29A.08.605, 29A.08.651, 29A.24.050, 29A.40.091, 29A.40.110, 29A.60.021, 29A.60.050, 29A.60.070, 29A.60.180, 29A.60.190, 29A.60.210, 29A.60.250, 29A.64.021, 29A.64.030, 29A.64.061, 29A.68.011, 29A.84.650, and 46.20.155; adding a new section to chapter 29A.36 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.40 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.44 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 29A.60 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 29A.84 RCW; prescribing penalties; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 29A.04.008 and 2004 c 271 s 102 are each amended to read as follows:
     As used in this title:
     (1) "Ballot" means, as the context implies, either:
     (a) The issues and offices to be voted upon in a jurisdiction or portion of a jurisdiction at a particular primary, general election, or special election;
     (b) A facsimile of the contents of a particular ballot whether printed on a paper ballot or ballot card or as part of a voting machine or voting device;
     (c) A physical or electronic record of the choices of an individual voter in a particular primary, general election, or special election; or
     (d) The physical document on which the voter's choices are to be recorded;
     (2) "Paper ballot" means a piece of paper on which the ballot for a particular election or primary has been printed, on which a voter may record his or her choices for any candidate or for or against any measure, and that is to be tabulated manually;
     (3) "Ballot card" means any type of card or piece of paper of any size on which a voter may record his or her choices for any candidate and for or against any measure and that is to be tabulated on a vote tallying system;
     (4) "Sample ballot" means a printed facsimile of all the issues and offices on the ballot in a jurisdiction and is intended to give voters notice of the issues, offices, and candidates that are to be voted on at a particular primary, general election, or special election;
     (5) "Provisional ballot" means a ballot issued to a voter at the polling place on election day by the precinct election board, for ((one)) any of the following reasons:
     (a) The voter's name does not appear in the poll book;
     (b) There is an indication in the poll book that the voter has requested an absentee ballot, but the voter wishes to vote at the polling place;
     (c) There is a question on the part of the voter concerning the issues or candidates on which the voter is qualified to vote;
     (d) Other circumstances as determined by the precinct election board;
     (e) Any other reason allowed by law;
     (6) "Party ballot" means a primary election ballot specific to a particular major political party that lists all partisan offices to be voted on at that primary, and the candidates for those offices who affiliate with that same major political party;
     (7) "Nonpartisan ballot" means a primary election ballot that lists all nonpartisan races and ballot measures to be voted on at that primary.

Sec. 2   RCW 29A.04.530 and 2003 c 111 s 151 are each amended to read as follows:
     The secretary of state shall:
     (1) Establish and operate, or provide by contract, training and certification programs for state and county elections administration officials and personnel, including training on the various types of election law violations and discrimination, and training programs for political party observers which conform to the rules for such programs established under RCW 29A.04.630;
     (2) Establish guidelines, in consultation with state and local law enforcement, for signature verification processes. All election personnel assigned to verify signatures must receive training on the guidelines;
     (3) Administer tests for state and county officials and personnel who have received such training and issue certificates to those who have successfully completed the training and passed such tests;
     (((3))) (4) Maintain a record of those individuals who have received such training and certificates; and
     (((4))) (5) Provide the staffing and support services required by the board created under RCW 29A.04.510.

Sec. 3   RCW 29A.04.570 and 2003 c 111 s 155 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) The election review staff of the office of the secretary of state shall conduct a review of election-related policies, procedures, and practices in an affected county or counties:
     (i) If the unofficial returns of a primary or general election for a position in the state legislature indicate that a mandatory recount is likely for that position; or
     (ii) If unofficial returns indicate a mandatory recount is likely in a statewide election or an election for federal office.
     Reviews conducted under (ii) of this subsection shall be performed in as many selected counties as time and staffing permit. Reviews conducted as a result of mandatory recounts shall be performed between the time the unofficial returns are complete and the time the recount is to take place, if possible.
     (b) In addition to conducting reviews under (a) of this subsection, the election review staff shall also conduct such a review in a county ((periodically)) at least once in each three-year period, in conjunction with a county primary or special or general election, at the direction of the secretary of state or at the request of the county auditor. If staffing or budget levels do not permit a three-year election cycle for reviews, then reviews must be done as often as possible. If any resident of this state believes that an aspect of a primary or election has been conducted inappropriately in a county, the resident may file a complaint with the secretary of state. The secretary shall consider such complaints in scheduling periodic reviews under this section.
     (c) Before an election review is conducted in a county, the secretary of state shall provide the county auditor of the affected county and the chair of the state central committee of each major political party with notice that the review is to be conducted. When a periodic review is to be conducted in a county at the direction of the secretary of state under (b) of this subsection, the secretary shall provide the affected county auditor not less than thirty days' notice.
     (2) Reviews shall be conducted in conformance with rules adopted under RCW 29A.04.630. In performing a review in a county under this chapter, the election review staff shall evaluate the policies and procedures established for conducting the primary or election in the county and the practices of those conducting it. As part of the review, the election review staff shall issue to the county auditor and the members of the county canvassing board a report of its findings and recommendations regarding such policies, procedures, and practices. A review conducted under this chapter shall not include any evaluation, finding, or recommendation regarding the validity of the outcome of a primary or election or the validity of any canvass of returns nor does the election review staff have any jurisdiction to make such an evaluation, finding, or recommendation under this title.
     (3) The county auditor or the county canvassing board shall respond to the review report in writing, listing the steps that will be taken to correct any problems listed in the report. The secretary of state shall visit the county before the next state primary or general election to verify that the county has taken the steps they listed to correct the problems noted in the report.
     (4) The county auditor of the county in which a review is conducted under this section or a member of the canvassing board of the county may appeal the findings or recommendations of the election review staff regarding the review by filing an appeal with the board created under RCW 29A.04.510.

Sec. 4   RCW 29A.04.611 and 2004 c 271 s 151 are each amended to read as follows:
     The secretary of state as chief election officer shall make reasonable rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW not inconsistent with the federal and state election laws to effectuate any provision of this title and to facilitate the execution of its provisions in an orderly, timely, and uniform manner relating to any federal, state, county, city, town, and district elections. To that end the secretary shall assist local election officers by devising uniform forms and procedures.
     In addition to the rule-making authority granted otherwise by this section, the secretary of state shall make rules governing the following provisions:
     (1) The maintenance of voter registration records;
     (2) The preparation, maintenance, distribution, review, and filing of precinct maps;
     (3) Standards for the design, layout, and production of ballots, including standards that require provisional ballots to be distinguishable from the other ballots and incapable of being tabulated by the poll-site ballot counting device;
     (4) The examination and testing of voting systems for certification;
     (5) The source and scope of independent evaluations of voting systems that may be relied upon in certifying voting systems for use in this state;
     (6) Standards and procedures for the acceptance testing of voting systems by counties;
     (7) Standards and procedures for testing the programming of vote tallying software for specific primaries and elections;
     (8) Standards and procedures for the preparation and use of each type of certified voting system including procedures for the operation of counting centers where vote tallying systems are used;
     (9) Standards and procedures to ensure the accurate tabulation and canvassing of ballots;
     (10) Consistency among the counties of the state in the preparation of ballots, the operation of vote tallying systems, and the canvassing of primaries and elections;
     (11) Procedures to ensure the secrecy of a voter's ballot when a small number of ballots are counted at the polls or at a counting center;
     (12) The use of substitute devices or means of voting when a voting device at the polling place is found to be defective, the counting of votes cast on the defective device, the counting of votes cast on the substitute device, and the documentation that must be submitted to the county auditor regarding such circumstances;
     (13) Procedures for the transportation of sealed containers of voted ballots or sealed voting devices;
     (14) The acceptance and filing of documents via electronic facsimile;
     (15) Voter registration applications and records;
     (16) The use of voter registration information in the conduct of elections;
     (17) The coordination, delivery, and processing of voter registration records accepted by driver licensing agents or the department of licensing;
     (18) The coordination, delivery, and processing of voter registration records accepted by agencies designated by the governor to provide voter registration services;
     (19) Procedures to receive and distribute voter registration applications by mail;
     (20) Procedures for a voter to change his or her voter registration address within a county by telephone;
     (21) Procedures for a voter to change the name under which he or she is registered to vote;
     (22) Procedures for canceling dual voter registration records and for maintaining records of persons whose voter registrations have been canceled;
     (23) Procedures for the electronic transfer of voter registration records between county auditors and the office of the secretary of state;
     (24) Procedures and forms for declarations of candidacy;
     (25) Procedures and requirements for the acceptance and filing of declarations of candidacy by electronic means;
     (26) Procedures for the circumstance in which two or more candidates have a name similar in sound or spelling so as to cause confusion for the voter;
     (27) Filing for office;
     (28) The order of positions and offices on a ballot;
     (29) Sample ballots;
     (30) Independent evaluations of voting systems;
     (31) The testing, approval, and certification of voting systems;
     (32) The testing of vote tallying software programming;
     (33) Standards and procedures to prevent fraud and to facilitate the accurate processing and canvassing of absentee ballots and mail ballots;
     (34) Standards and procedures to guarantee the secrecy of absentee ballots and mail ballots;
     (35) Uniformity among the counties of the state in the conduct of absentee voting and mail ballot elections;
     (36) Standards and procedures to accommodate out-of-state voters, overseas voters, and service voters;
     (37) The tabulation of paper ballots before the close of the polls;
     (38) The accessibility of polling places and registration facilities that are accessible to elderly and disabled persons;
     (39) The aggregation of precinct results if reporting the results of a single precinct could jeopardize the secrecy of a person's ballot;
     (40) Procedures for conducting a statutory recount;
     (41) Procedures for filling vacancies in congressional offices if the general statutory time requirements for availability of absentee ballots, certification, canvassing, and related procedures cannot be met;
     (42) Procedures for the statistical sampling of signatures for purposes of verifying and canvassing signatures on initiative, referendum, and recall election petitions;
     (43) Standards and deadlines for submitting material to the office of the secretary of state for the voters' pamphlet;
     (44) Deadlines for the filing of ballot titles for referendum bills and constitutional amendments if none have been provided by the legislature;
     (45) Procedures for the publication of a state voters' pamphlet;
     (46) Procedures for conducting special elections regarding nuclear waste sites if the general statutory time requirements for availability of absentee ballots, certification, canvassing, and related procedures cannot be met;
     (47) Procedures for conducting partisan primary elections;
     (48) Standards and procedures for the proper conduct of voting during the early voting period to provide accessability for the blind or visually impaired;
     (49) Standards for voting technology and systems used by the state or any political subdivision to be accessible for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation, including privacy and independence, as other voters;
     (50) All data formats for transferring voter registration data on electronic or machine-readable media for the purpose of administering the statewide voter registration list required by the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252);
     (51) Defining the interaction of electronic voter registration election management systems employed by each county auditor to maintain a local copy of each county's portion of the official state list of registered voters;
     (52) Provisions and procedures to implement the state-based administrative complaint procedure as required by the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252); and
     (53) Facilitating the payment of local government grants to local government election officers or vendors.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 29A.36 RCW to read as follows:
     All provisional ballots must be visually distinguishable from the other ballots and must be either:
     (1) Printed on colored paper; or
     (2) Imprinted with a bar code for the purpose of identifying the ballot as a provisional ballot. The bar code must not identify the voter.
     Provisional ballots must be incapable of being tabulated by poll-site counting devices.

Sec. 6   RCW 29A.08.125 and 2003 c 111 s 209 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Each county auditor shall maintain a computer file containing the records of all registered voters within the county. The auditor may provide for the establishment and maintenance of such files by private contract or through interlocal agreement as provided by chapter 39.34 RCW. The computer file must include, but not be limited to, each voter's last name, first name, middle initial, date of birth, residence address, gender, date of registration, applicable taxing district and precinct codes, and the last date on which the individual voted.
     (2) County election officials shall randomly investigate the record of all registered voters within the county contained on the official statewide voter registration list for that county to make corrections in the record regarding persons who are deceased or whose residence differs from that on the official statewide voter registration list.
     (3) The county auditor shall subsequently record each consecutive date upon which the individual has voted and retain at least the last five such consecutive dates. If the voter has not voted at least five times since establishing his or her current registration record, only the available dates will be included.

Sec. 7   RCW 29A.08.125 and 2004 c 267 s 110 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Each county auditor shall maintain a computer file containing a copy of each record of all registered voters within the county contained on the official statewide voter registration list for that county.
     (2) County election officials shall randomly investigate the record of all registered voters within the county contained on the official statewide voter registration list for that county to make corrections in the record regarding persons who are deceased or whose residence differs from that on the official statewide voter registration list.
     (3) The computer file must include, but not be limited to, each voter's last name, first name, middle initial, date of birth, residence address, gender, date of registration, applicable taxing district and precinct codes, and the last date on which the individual voted.
     (4) The county auditor shall subsequently record each consecutive date upon which the individual has voted and retain all such consecutive dates.

Sec. 8   RCW 29A.08.605 and 2003 c 111 s 236 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to the case-by-case maintenance required under RCW 29A.08.620 and 29A.08.630 ((and)), the canceling of registrations under RCW 29A.08.510, and the random investigation required under RCW 29A.08.125, the county auditor shall establish a general program of voter registration list maintenance. This program must be a thorough review that is applied uniformly throughout the county and must be nondiscriminatory in its application. Any program established must be completed at least once every two years and not later than ninety days before the date of a primary or general election for federal office. The county may fulfill its obligations under this section in one of the following ways:
     (1) The county auditor may enter into one or more contracts with the United States postal service, or its licensee, which permit the auditor to use postal service change-of-address information. If the auditor receives change of address information from the United States postal service that indicates that a voter has changed his or her residence address within the county, the auditor shall transfer the registration of that voter and send a confirmation notice informing the voter of the transfer to the new address. If the auditor receives postal change of address information indicating that the voter has moved out of the county, the auditor shall send a confirmation notice to the voter and advise the voter of the need to reregister in the new county. The auditor shall place the voter's registration on inactive status;
     (2) A direct, nonforwardable, nonprofit or first-class mailing to every registered voter within the county bearing the postal endorsement "Return Service Requested." If address correction information for a voter is received by the county auditor after this mailing, the auditor shall place that voter on inactive status and shall send to the voter a confirmation notice;
     (3) Any other method approved by the secretary of state.

Sec. 9   RCW 29A.08.605 and 2004 c 267 s 128 are each amended to read as follows:
     In addition to the case-by-case maintenance required under RCW 29A.08.620 and 29A.08.630 ((and)), the canceling of registrations under RCW 29A.08.510, and the random investigation required under RCW 29A.08.125, the secretary of state and the county auditor shall cooperatively establish a general program of voter registration list maintenance. This program must be a thorough review that is applied uniformly throughout the county and must be nondiscriminatory in its application. Any program established must be completed at least once every two years and not later than ninety days before the date of a primary or general election for federal office. This obligation may be fulfilled in one of the following ways:
     (1) The secretary of state may enter into one or more contracts with the United States postal service, or its licensee, which permit the use of postal service change-of-address information. If the change of address information is received from the United States postal service that indicates that a voter has changed his or her residence address within the state, the auditor shall transfer the registration of that voter and send a confirmation notice informing the voter of the transfer to the new address;
     (2) A direct, nonforwardable, nonprofit or first-class mailing to every registered voter bearing the postal endorsement "Return Service Requested." If address correction information for a voter is received by the county auditor after this mailing, the auditor shall place that voter on inactive status and shall send to the voter a confirmation notice;
     (3) Any other method approved by the secretary of state.

Sec. 10   RCW 29A.08.651 and 2004 c 267 s 101 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the secretary of state shall create and maintain a statewide voter registration data base. This data base must be a single, uniform, official, centralized, interactive computerized statewide voter registration list defined, maintained, and administered at the state level that contains the name and registration information of every legally registered voter in the state and assigns a unique identifier to each legally registered voter in the state.
     (2) The computerized list must serve as the single system for storing and maintaining the official list of registered voters throughout the state.
     (3) The computerized list must contain the name and registration information of every legally registered voter in the state.
     (4) Under the computerized list, a unique identifier is assigned to each legally registered voter in the state.
     (5) The computerized list must be coordinated with other agency data bases within the state, including but not limited to the department of corrections, the department of licensing, and the department of health.
     (6) Any election officer in the state, including any local election officer, may obtain immediate electronic access to the information contained in the computerized list.
     (7) All voter registration information obtained by any local election officer in the state must be electronically entered into the computerized list on an expedited basis at the time the information is provided to the local officer.
     (8) The chief state election officer shall provide support, as may be required, so that local election officers are able to enter information as described in subsection (3) of this section.
     (9) The computerized list serves as the official voter registration list for the conduct of all elections.
     (10) The secretary of state has data authority on all voter registration data.
     (11) The voter registration data base must be designed to accomplish at a minimum, the following:
     (a) Comply with the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-252);
     (b) Identify duplicate voter registrations;
     (c) Identify suspected duplicate voters;
     (d) Screen against the department of corrections data base to aid in the cancellation of voter registration of felons;
     (e) Provide up-to-date signatures of voters for the purposes of initiative signature checking;
     (f) Provide current and accurate voter registration information using information obtained under RCW 29A.08.125;
     (g) Provide for a comparison between the voter registration data base and the department of licensing change of address data base;
     (((g))) (h) Provide online access for county auditors with the goal of real time duplicate checking and update capabilities; and
     (((h))) (i) Provide for the cancellation of voter registration for persons who have moved to other states and surrendered their Washington state drivers' licenses.

Sec. 11   RCW 29A.24.050 and 2003 c 111 s 605 are each amended to read as follows:
     Except where otherwise provided by this title, declarations of candidacy for the following offices shall be filed during regular business hours with the filing officer no earlier than the fourth Monday in ((July)) June and no later than the following Friday in the year in which the office is scheduled to be voted upon:
     (1) Offices that are scheduled to be voted upon for full terms or both full terms and short terms at, or in conjunction with, a state general election; and
     (2) Offices where a vacancy, other than a short term, exists that has not been filled by election and for which an election to fill the vacancy is required in conjunction with the next state general election.
     This section supersedes all other statutes that provide for a different filing period for these offices.

Sec. 12   RCW 29A.40.091 and 2004 c 271 s 135 are each amended to read as follows:
     The county auditor shall send each absentee voter a ballot, a security envelope in which to seal the ballot after voting, a larger envelope in which to return the security envelope, and instructions on how to mark the ballot and how to return it to the county auditor. The instructions that accompany an absentee ballot for a partisan primary must include instructions for voting the applicable ballot style, as provided in chapter 29A.36 RCW. The absentee voter's name and address must be printed on the larger return envelope, which must also contain a declaration by the absentee voter reciting his or her qualifications and stating that he or she has not voted in any other jurisdiction at this election, together with a summary of the penalties for any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter. The declaration must clearly inform the voter that it is illegal to vote if he or she is not a United States citizen; it is illegal to vote if he or she has been convicted of a felony and has not had his or her voting rights restored; and, except as otherwise provided by law, it is illegal to cast a ballot or sign an absentee envelope on behalf of another voter. The return envelope must provide space for the voter to indicate the date on which the ballot was voted and for the voter to sign the oath. A summary of the applicable penalty provisions of this chapter must be printed on the return envelope immediately adjacent to the space for the voter's signature. The signature of the voter on the return envelope must affirm and attest to the statements regarding the qualifications of that voter and to the validity of the ballot. The return envelope must also have a secrecy flap that the voter may seal that will cover the voter's signature and return address. For out-of-state voters, overseas voters, and service voters, the signed declaration on the return envelope constitutes the equivalent of a voter registration for the election or primary for which the ballot has been issued. The voter must be instructed to either return the ballot to the county auditor by whom it was issued or attach sufficient first class postage, if applicable, and mail the ballot to the appropriate county auditor no later than the day of the election or primary for which the ballot was issued.
     If the county auditor chooses to forward absentee ballots, he or she must include with the ballot a clear explanation of the qualifications necessary to vote in that election and must also advise a voter with questions about his or her eligibility to contact the county auditor. This explanation may be provided on the ballot envelope, on an enclosed insert, or printed directly on the ballot itself. If the information is not included, the envelope must clearly indicate that the ballot is not to be forwarded and that return postage is guaranteed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13   A new section is added to chapter 29A.40 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The county auditor shall accept and count absentee ballots for persons serving in the United States armed forces stationed outside the United States in accordance with this section and RCW 29A.40.110. For a member of the armed forces stationed outside the United States who receives an absentee ballot on or after the date of the election, in order to have his or her ballot counted, he or she must attach an affidavit signed by the person and his or her commanding officer, stating the date on which the ballot was received.
     (2) All absentee ballots received from persons under subsection (1) of this section at any time whether before or after certification of the election, until any and all recounts have concluded and been certified, shall be counted.

Sec. 14   RCW 29A.40.110 and 2003 c 111 s 1011 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The opening and subsequent processing of return envelopes for any primary or election may begin ((on or after the tenth day before the primary or election)) upon receipt. The tabulation of absentee ballots must not commence until after 8:00 p.m. on the day of the primary or election.
     (2) All received absentee return envelopes must be placed in secure locations from the time of delivery to the county auditor until their subsequent opening. After opening the return envelopes, the county canvassing board shall place all of the ballots in secure storage until after 8:00 p.m. of the day of the primary or election. Absentee ballots that are to be tabulated on an electronic vote tallying system may be taken from the inner envelopes and all the normal procedural steps may be performed to prepare these ballots for tabulation.
     (3) Before opening a returned absentee ballot, the canvassing board, or its designated representatives, shall examine the postmark, statement, and signature on the return envelope that contains the security envelope and absentee ballot. They shall verify that the voter's signature on the return envelope is the same as the signature of that voter in the registration files of the county. For registered voters casting absentee ballots, the date on the return envelope to which the voter has attested determines the validity, as to the time of voting for that absentee ballot if the postmark is missing or is illegible. For out-of-state voters, overseas voters, and service voters stationed in the United States, the date on the return envelope to which the voter has attested determines the validity as to the time of voting for that absentee ballot. For service voters stationed outside the United States, the date on the return envelope to which the voter has attested determines the validity as to the time of voting for that absentee ballot unless there is an affidavit included with the ballot in accordance with section 13 of this act, in which case section 13 of this act determines validity with regard to the time of voting. For any absentee ballot, a variation between the signature of the voter on the return envelope and the signature of that voter in the registration files due to the substitution of initials or the use of common nicknames is permitted so long as the surname and handwriting are clearly the same.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15   A new section is added to chapter 29A.40 RCW to read as follows:
     If the canvassing board, or its designated representatives, determines that the signature on the absentee or provisional ballot return envelope does not match the signature as it appears on the voter's original registration record, the county auditor shall notify the voter no later than three days after discovery of the mismatched signature by telephone or in writing, that the ballot cannot be processed because the signature on the return envelope does not match the signature as it appears on the voter's registration card. The county auditor shall also send the voter a new voter registration form and advise the voter that, in order for the ballot to be processed, the voter must update his or her signature by either filling out a new registration form and mailing it back to the auditor's office so that it arrives not later than the day before the certification of the primary or election; or appearing in person at the auditor's office not later than the day before certification of the primary or election and filling out a new registration form.
     If the voter neglects to sign the affidavit on the absentee or provisional return envelope, the auditor shall notify the voter, no later than three days after discovery of the unsigned envelope either by telephone or in writing, that the ballot will not be processed unless the voter appears in person and signs the affidavit on the return envelope not later than the day before certification of the primary or election. As an alternative to personal appearance, the auditor may provide the voter with a copy of the return envelope affidavit and require the voter to sign the copy of the affidavit and mail it back to the auditor so that it arrives no later than the day before certification of the primary or election.
     A voter may not cure a missing or mismatched signature for purposes of counting the ballot in a recount.
     A record must be kept of all ballots with mismatched signatures, and must include the date on which the voter was contacted or the notice was mailed, as well as the date on which the voter signed the envelope, a copy of the envelope, or a new registration form. These records are public records under chapter 42.17 RCW once the election has been certified by the county canvassing board under RCW 29A.60.190.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16   A new section is added to chapter 29A.44 RCW to read as follows:
     Provisional ballots must be issued, along with a provisional ballot outer envelope and a security envelope, to voters as appropriate under RCW 29A.04.008. The provisional ballot outer envelope must include a place for the voter's name; registered address, both present and former if applicable; date of birth; reason for the provisional ballot; the precinct number and the precinct polling location at which the voter has voted; and a space for the county auditor to list the disposition of the provisional ballot. The provisional ballot outer envelope must also contain a declaration as required for absentee ballot outer envelopes under RCW 29A.40.091; a place for the voter to sign the oath; and a summary of the applicable penalty provisions of this chapter. The voter shall vote the provisional ballot in secrecy and, when done, place the provisional ballot in the security envelope, then place the security envelope into the outer envelope, and return it to the precinct election official. The election official shall ensure that the required information is completed on the outer envelope, have the voter sign it in the appropriate space, and place the envelope in a secure container. The official shall then give the voter written information advising the voter how to ascertain whether the vote was counted and, if applicable, the reason why the vote was not counted.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17   A new section is added to chapter 29A.44 RCW to read as follows:
     Any person desiring to vote at the polls at any primary or election is required to provide identification to the election officer before signing the poll book. The identification required in this section can be satisfied by providing a voter's registration card, or any current and valid government-issued photo identification, including but not limited to a driver's license, state identification card, passport, tribal identification card, or military identification card. Any individual who desires to vote in person but cannot provide identification as required in this section shall be issued a provisional ballot.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 18   A new section is added to chapter 29A.60 RCW to read as follows:
     Before certification of the primary or election, the county auditor must examine and investigate all received provisional ballots to determine whether the ballot can be counted. The auditor shall provide the disposition of the provisional ballot and, if the ballot was not counted, the reason why it was not counted, on a free access system such as a toll-free telephone number, web site, mail, or other means. A provisional ballot cannot be further investigated if the voter did not sign the provisional ballot envelope or if the signature on the envelope does not match the signature as it appears on the voter's registration card until the voter signs or updates his or her signature affidavit. The auditor must notify the voter in accordance with section 15 of this act when the envelope is unsigned or when the signatures do not match.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 19   A new section is added to chapter 29A.60 RCW to read as follows:
     If inspection of the ballot reveals a physically damaged ballot or ballot that may be otherwise unreadable or uncountable by the tabulating system, the county auditor may refer the ballot to the county canvassing board or duplicate the ballot if so authorized by the county canvassing board. A ballot may be duplicated only if the intent of the voter's marks on the ballot is clear and the electronic voting equipment might not otherwise properly tally the ballot to reflect the intent of the voter. Ballots must be duplicated by teams of two or more people working together. When duplicating ballots, the county auditor shall take the following steps to create and maintain an audit trail of the action taken:
     (1) Each original ballot and duplicate ballot must be assigned the same unique control number, with the number being marked upon the face of each ballot, to ensure that each duplicate ballot may be tied back to the original ballot;
     (2) A log must be kept of the ballots duplicated, which must at least include:
     (a) The control number of each original ballot and the corresponding duplicate ballot;
     (b) The initials of at least two people who participated in the duplication of each ballot; and
     (c) The total number of ballots duplicated.
     Original and duplicate ballots must be sealed in secure storage at all times, except during duplication, inspection by the canvassing board, or tabulation.

Sec. 20   RCW 29A.60.021 and 2004 c 271 s 147 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) For any office at any election or primary, any voter may write in on the ballot the name of any person for an office who has filed as a write-in candidate for the office in the manner provided by RCW 29A.24.311 and such vote shall be counted the same as if the name had been printed on the ballot and marked by the voter. ((For a partisan primary in a jurisdiction using the physically separate ballot format, a voter may write in on a party ballot only the names of write-in candidates who affiliate with that major political party.)) No write-in vote made for any person who has not filed a declaration of candidacy pursuant to RCW 29A.24.311 is valid if that person filed for the same office, either as a regular candidate or a write-in candidate, at the preceding primary. Any abbreviation used to designate office((,)) or position((, or political party shall)) will be accepted if the canvassing board can determine, to ((their)) its satisfaction, the voter's intent.
     (2) The number of write-in votes cast for each office must be recorded and reported with the canvass for the election.
     (3) A write-in vote for an individual candidate for an office whose name appears on the ballot for that same office is a valid vote for that candidate as long as the candidate's name is clearly discernible, even if other requirements of RCW 29A.24.311 are not satisfied and even if the voter also marked a vote for that candidate such as to register an over vote. These votes need not be tabulated unless: (a) The difference between the number of votes cast for the candidate apparently qualified to appear on the general election ballot or elected and the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes is less than the sum of the total number of write-in votes cast for the office plus the over votes and under votes recorded by the vote tabulating system; or (b) a manual recount is conducted for that office.
     (4) Write-in votes cast for an individual candidate for an office whose name does not appear on the ballot need not be tallied ((if)) unless the total number of write-in votes and under votes recorded by the vote tabulation system for the office is ((not)) greater than the number of votes cast for the candidate apparently ((nominated)) qualified to appear on the general election ballot or elected((, and the write-in votes could not have altered the outcome of the primary or election. In the case of write-in votes for statewide office or for any office whose jurisdiction encompasses more than one county, write-in votes for an individual candidate must be tallied whenever the county auditor is notified by either the office of the secretary of state or another auditor in a multicounty jurisdiction that it appears that the write-in votes could alter the outcome of the primary or election)).
     (((4))) (5) In the case of write-in votes for a statewide office((s)) or any office whose jurisdiction((s that)) encompasses more than one county, ((if the total number of write-in votes and under votes recorded by the vote tabulation system for an office within a county is greater than the number of votes cast for a candidate apparently nominated or elected in a primary or election, the auditor shall tally all write-in votes for individual candidates for that office and notify the office of the secretary of state and the auditors of the other counties within the jurisdiction, that the write-in votes for individual candidates should be tallied)) write-in votes for an individual candidate must be tallied when the county auditor is notified by either the secretary of state or another county auditor in the multicounty jurisdiction that it appears that the write-in votes must be tabulated under the terms of this section. In all other cases, the county auditor determines when write-in votes must be tabulated. Any abstract of votes must be modified to reflect the tabulation and certified by the canvassing board. Tabulation of write-in votes may be performed simultaneously with a recount.

Sec. 21   RCW 29A.60.050 and 2003 c 111 s 1505 are each amended to read as follows:
     Whenever the precinct election officers or the counting center personnel have a question about the validity of a ballot or the votes for an office or issue that they are unable to resolve, they shall prepare and sign a concise record of the facts in question or dispute. These ballots shall be delivered to the canvassing board for processing. A ballot is not considered rejected until the canvassing board has rejected the ballot individually, or the ballot was included in a batch or on a report of ballots that was rejected in its entirety by the canvassing board. All ballots shall be preserved in the same manner as valid ballots for that primary or election.

Sec. 22   RCW 29A.60.070 and 2003 c 111 s 1507 are each amended to read as follows:
     The county auditor shall produce cumulative and precinct returns for each primary and election and deliver them to the canvassing board for verification and certification. The precinct and cumulative returns of any primary or election are public records under chapter 42.17 RCW.
     Cumulative returns for state offices, judicial offices, the United States senate, and congress must be electronically transmitted to the secretary of state immediately.

Sec. 23   RCW 29A.60.180 and 2003 c 111 s 1518 are each amended to read as follows:
     Each registered voter casting an absentee ballot will be credited with voting on his or her voter registration record only if the ballot was counted. Absentee ballots must be retained for the same length of time and in the same manner as ballots cast at the precinct polling places.

Sec. 24   RCW 29A.60.190 and 2004 c 266 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) On the tenth day after a special election or primary and on the ((fifteenth)) twentieth day after a general election, the county canvassing board shall complete the canvass and certify the results. The secretary of state may adopt rules to provide that Thanksgiving day, and the day after Thanksgiving day, are not counted in establishing the twenty-day certification deadline. Each absentee ballot that was returned before the closing of the polls on the date of the primary or election for which it was issued, and each absentee ballot with a postmark on or before the date of the primary or election for which it was issued and received on or before the date on which the primary or election is certified, must be included in the canvass report.
     (2) At the request of a caucus of the state legislature, the county auditor shall transmit copies of all unofficial returns of state and legislative primaries or elections prepared by or for the county canvassing board to either the secretary of the senate or the chief clerk of the house of representatives.

Sec. 25   RCW 29A.60.210 and 2003 c 111 s 1521 are each amended to read as follows:
     Whenever the canvassing board finds during the initial counting process, or during any subsequent recount thereof, that there is an apparent discrepancy or an inconsistency in the returns of a primary or election, or that election staff has made an error regarding the treatment or disposition of a ballot, the board may recanvass the ballots or voting devices in any precincts of the county. The canvassing board shall conduct any necessary recanvass activity on or before the last day to certify or recertify the results of the primary ((or)), election, or subsequent recount and correct any error and document the correction of any error that it finds.

Sec. 26   RCW 29A.60.250 and 2003 c 111 s 1525 are each amended to read as follows:
     As soon as the returns have been received from all the counties of the state, but not later than the thirtieth day after the election, the secretary of state shall ((make a)) canvass ((of such of the returns as are not required to be canvassed by the legislature and make out a statement thereof, file it in his or her office, and transmit a certified copy to the governor)) and certify the returns of the general election as to candidates for state offices, the United States senate, congress, and all other candidates whose districts extend beyond the limits of a single county. The secretary of state shall transmit a copy of the certification to the governor, president of the senate, and speaker of the house of representatives.

Sec. 27   RCW 29A.64.021 and 2004 c 271 s 178 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) If the official canvass of all of the returns for any office at any primary or election reveals that the difference in the number of votes cast for a candidate apparently nominated or elected to any office and the number of votes cast for the closest apparently defeated opponent is less than two thousand votes and also less than one-half of one percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates, the county canvassing board shall conduct a recount of all votes cast on that position.
     (a) Whenever such a difference occurs in the number of votes cast for candidates for a position the declaration of candidacy for which was filed with the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall, within three business days of the day that the returns of the primary or election are first certified by the canvassing boards of those counties, direct those boards to recount all votes cast on the position.
     (b)(i) For statewide elections, if the difference in the number of votes cast for the apparent winner and the closest apparently defeated opponent is less than one ((hundred fifty)) thousand votes and also less than one-fourth of one percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates, the votes shall be recounted manually or as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
     (ii) For elections not included in (b)(i) of this subsection, if the difference in the number of votes cast for the apparent winner and the closest apparently defeated opponent is less than one hundred fifty votes and also less than one-fourth of one percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates, the votes shall be recounted manually or as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
     (2) A mandatory recount shall be conducted in the manner provided by RCW 29A.64.030, 29A.64.041, and 29A.64.061. No cost of a mandatory recount may be charged to any candidate.
     (3) The apparent winner and closest apparently defeated opponent for an office for which a manual recount is required under subsection (1)(b) of this section may select an alternative method of conducting the recount. To select such an alternative, the two candidates shall agree to the alternative in a signed, written statement filed with the election official for the office. The recount shall be conducted using the alternative method if: It is suited to the balloting system that was used for casting the votes for the office; it involves the use of a vote tallying system that is approved for use in this state by the secretary of state; and the vote tallying system is readily available in each county required to conduct the recount. If more than one balloting system was used in casting votes for the office, an alternative to a manual recount may be selected for each system.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 28   A new section is added to chapter 29A.60 RCW to read as follows:
     No later than thirty days after final certification, the county auditor shall prepare and make publicly available at the auditor's office or on the auditor's web site, an election reconciliation report that discloses, at a minimum, the following information: The number of ballots counted; the number of voters credited with voting; the number of provisional ballots issued; the number of provisional ballots counted; the number of provisional ballots rejected; the number of absentee ballots issued; the number of absentee ballots counted; the number of absentee ballots rejected; the number of federal write-in ballots counted; the number of ballots sent to overseas voters and the number of such ballots that were counted; and any other information the auditor determines to be necessary to the process of reconciling the number of votes counted with the number of voters credited with voting.

Sec. 29   RCW 29A.64.030 and 2003 c 111 s 1603 are each amended to read as follows:
     An application for a recount shall state the office for which a recount is requested and whether the request is for all or only a portion of the votes cast in that jurisdiction of that office. The person filing an application for a manual recount shall, at the same time, deposit with the county canvassing board or secretary of state, in cash or by certified check, a sum equal to twenty-five cents for each ballot cast in the jurisdiction or portion of the jurisdiction for which the recount is requested as security for the payment of any costs of conducting the recount. If the application is for a machine recount, the deposit must be equal to fifteen cents for each ballot. These charges shall be determined by the county canvassing board or boards under RCW ((29A.64.080)) 29A.64.081.
     The county canvassing board shall determine ((a)) the date, time, and ((a)) place or places at which the recount will be conducted. ((This time shall be less than three business days after the day upon which: The application was filed with the board; the request for a recount or directive ordering a recount was received by the board from the secretary of state; or the returns are certified which indicate that a recount is required under RCW 29A.64.020 for an issue or office voted upon only within the county.)) Not less than two days before the date of the recount, the county auditor shall mail a notice of the time and place of the recount to the applicant or affected parties and, if the recount involves an office, to any person for whom votes were cast for that office. The county auditor shall also notify the affected parties by either telephone, fax, e-mail, or other electronic means at the time of mailing. At least three attempts must be made over a two-day period to notify the affected parties or until the affected parties have received the notification. Each attempt to notify affected parties must request a return response indicating that the notice has been received. Each person entitled to receive notice of the recount may attend, witness the recount, and be accompanied by counsel.
     Proceedings of the canvassing board are public under chapter 42.30 RCW. Subject to reasonable and equitable guidelines adopted by the canvassing board, all interested persons may attend and witness a recount.

Sec. 30   RCW 29A.64.061 and 2004 c 271 s 180 are each amended to read as follows:
     Upon completion of the canvass of a recount, the canvassing board shall prepare and certify an amended abstract showing the votes cast in each precinct for which the recount was conducted. Copies of the amended abstracts must be transmitted to the same officers who received the abstract on which the recount was based.
     If the nomination, election, or issue for which the recount was conducted was submitted only to the voters of a county, the canvassing board shall file the amended abstract with the original results of that election or primary.
     If the nomination, election, or issue for which a recount was conducted was submitted to the voters of more than one county, the secretary of state shall canvass the amended abstracts and shall file an amended abstract with the original results of that election. The secretary of state may require that the amended abstracts be certified by each canvassing board on a uniform date. An amended abstract certified under this section supersedes any prior abstract of the results for the same offices or issues at the same primary or election.

Sec. 31   RCW 29A.68.011 and 2004 c 271 s 182 are each amended to read as follows:
     Any justice of the supreme court, judge of the court of appeals, or judge of the superior court in the proper county shall, by order, require any person charged with error, wrongful act, or neglect to forthwith correct the error, desist from the wrongful act, or perform the duty and to do as the court orders or to show cause forthwith why the error should not be corrected, the wrongful act desisted from, or the duty or order not performed, whenever it is made to appear to such justice or judge by affidavit of an elector that:
     (1) An error or omission has occurred or is about to occur in printing the name of any candidate on official ballots; or
     (2) An error other than as provided in subsections (1) and (3) of this section has been committed or is about to be committed in printing the ballots; or
     (3) The name of any person has been or is about to be wrongfully placed upon the ballots; or
     (4) A wrongful act other than as provided for in subsections (1) and (3) of this section has been performed or is about to be performed by any election officer; or
     (5) Any neglect of duty on the part of an election officer other than as provided for in subsections (1) and (3) of this section has occurred or is about to occur; or
     (6) An error or omission has occurred or is about to occur in the issuance of a certificate of election.
     An affidavit of an elector under subsections (1) and (3) ((above)) of this section when relating to a primary election must be filed with the appropriate court no later than the second Friday following the closing of the filing period for nominations for such office and shall be heard and finally disposed of by the court not later than five days after the filing thereof. An affidavit of an elector under subsections (1) and (3) of this section when relating to a general election must be filed with the appropriate court no later than three days following the official certification of the primary election returns and shall be heard and finally disposed of by the court not later than five days after the filing thereof. An affidavit of an elector under subsection (6) of this section shall be filed with the appropriate court no later than ten days following the ((issuance of a certificate of election)) official certification of the election as provided in RCW 29A.60.190, 29A.60.240, or 29A.60.250 or, in the case of a recount, ten days after the official certification of the amended abstract as provided in RCW 29A.64.061.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 32   A new section is added to chapter 29A.84 RCW to read as follows:
     A person who knowingly destroys, alters, defaces, conceals, or discards a completed voter registration form or signed absentee or provisional ballot signature affidavit is guilty of a class C felony punishable under RCW 9A.20.021. This section does not apply to (1) the voter who completed the voter registration form, or (2) a county auditor or registration assistant who acts as authorized by voter registration law.

Sec. 33   RCW 29A.84.650 and 2003 c 111 s 2131 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Any person who intentionally or knowingly votes or attempts to vote more than once ((at any)) in this state in the same primary or general or special election, or who is registered to vote in another state and who votes or attempts to vote in this state, is guilty of a ((gross misdemeanor)) class C felony, punishable ((to the same extent as a gross misdemeanor that is punishable)) under RCW 9A.20.021.
     (2) Any person who recklessly or negligently violates this section has committed a class 1 civil infraction as provided in RCW 7.80.120. The county prosecuting attorney is authorized to enforce this subsection.

Sec. 34   RCW 46.20.155 and 2004 c 249 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Before issuing an original license or identicard or renewing a license or identicard under this chapter, the licensing agent shall determine if the applicant wants to register to vote or transfer his or her voter registration by asking the following question:

     "Do you want to register to vote or transfer your voter registration?"

     If the applicant chooses to register or transfer a registration, the agent shall ((state)) ask and confirm the following:

     (("I would like to remind you that you must be a United States citizen and at least eighteen years of age in order to vote."))

     (a) "Are you a United States citizen?"
     (b) "Are you at least eighteen years of age?"

     If the applicant answers in the affirmative to both questions, the agent shall then provide the applicant with a voter registration form and instructions and shall record that the applicant has requested to register to vote or transfer a voter registration.
     If the applicant answers in the negative to either question, the agent shall not provide the applicant with a voter registration form and instructions.
     (2) The department shall establish a procedure that substantially meets the requirements of subsection (1) of this section when permitting an applicant to renew a license or identicard by mail or by electronic commerce.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 35   Sections 6 and 8 of this act expire January 1, 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 36   Sections 7, 9, and 10 of this act take effect January 1, 2006.