5738.E AMH SGTA REIL 054

ESB 5738 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on State Government

   On page 1, beginning on line 4, insert the following:

   "Sec. 1. RCW 29A.36.111 and 2004 c 271 s 128 are each amended to read as follows:

   Every ballot for a single combination of issues, offices, and candidates shall be uniform within a precinct and shall identify the type of primary or election, the county, and the date of the primary or election, and the ballot or voting device shall contain instructions on the proper method of recording a vote, including write-in votes. Each position, together with the names of the candidates for that office, shall be clearly separated from other offices or positions in the same jurisdiction. The offices in each jurisdiction shall be clearly separated from each other. No paper ballot or ballot card may be marked ((in any way))or coded using a bar code, unique number, symbol, or any other method that would link or associate the ballot to a specific voter or voter identification, or would permit the identification of the person who voted that ballot."

   Renumber the sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

   On page 3, line 16, after "have" strike "two witnesses" and insert "a witness who is at least eighteen years of age"

   On page 3, line 30, after "have" strike "two witnesses" and insert "a witness who is at least eighteen years of age"

   On page 4, line 37, after "of" strike "two witnesses who are registered voters and who" and insert "a witness who is at least eighteen years of age to"

   Correct the title.

EFFECT: Clarifies that a ballot may not be marked with a bar code, symbol, or other method that would link or associate the ballot to the voter. Changes the number of witnesses needed to verify a person's mark or to verify a mismatched signature from two to one witness who is at least 18 years of age.