BILL REQ. #:  H-4410.1 

Read first time 01/16/08.   Referred to Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs.

     AN ACT Relating to ballot deposit sites; and adding a new section to chapter 29A.48 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 29A.48 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) At least one unstaffed ballot drop-off site shall be located at each institution of higher education, as defined in RCW 28B.10.016.
     (2) "Ballot deposit site" means the site or sites designated by the county auditor in which a voter may deposit his or her ballot in a secure collection device on or before election day.
     (a) Staffed ballot deposit sites must be staffed by at least two people. Staffed deposit sites may be open prior to the election according to dates and times established by the county auditor and, if open on election day, must be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
     (b) Unstaffed ballot deposit sites must consist of secured ballot boxes that allow return envelopes, once deposited, to only be removed by authorized staff. Unstaffed ballot deposit sites must be available to receive ballots from eighteen days prior to an election until 8:00 p.m. on election day.