BILL REQ. #: Z-0451.1

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SENATE BILL 5522
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State of Washington

61st Legislature

2009 Regular Session

By Senators Hobbs, McDermott, Swecker, Fairley, Roach, Pridemore, Tom, Shin, and Kohl-Welles; by request of Secretary of State

Read first time 01/26/09. Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

AN ACT Relating to internet voting for service voters and overseas voters; and adding a new section to chapter 29A.40 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 29A.40 RCW to read as follows:
     The secretary of state is authorized to approve a program that allows service voters and overseas voters to cast a ballot over the internet. The program must be secure, and must protect the secrecy of the ballot.
     In reviewing appropriate programs, the secretary of state will consider programs based on open source platforms, phased implementation, and alternative funding sources.
     The program allowing service and overseas voters to vote over the internet is exempt from chapter 29A.12 RCW.

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