5124-S.E AMH TAYL REIL 070

ESSB 5124 - H AMD 460

By Representative Taylor

WITHDRAWN 03/25/2011

    On page 12, after line 13, insert the following:

"Sec. 14.  RCW 29A.08.010 and 2009 c 369 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The minimum information provided on a voter registration application that is required in order to place a voter registration applicant on the voter registration rolls includes:

    (a) Name;

    (b) Residential address;

    (c) Date of birth;

    (d) A signature attesting to the truth of the information provided on the application; and

    (e) ((A check or indication in the box)) As of the effective date of this section, documented proof confirming the individual is a United States citizen. Documented proof includes:

    (i) A driver's license number or government issued identification if citizenship is indicated;

    (ii) A photocopy of a birth certificate;

    (iii) A passport; or

    (iv) Naturalization documents or a certificate of naturalization.

    (2) The residential address provided must identify the actual physical residence of the voter in Washington, as defined in RCW 29A.04.151, with detail sufficient to allow the voter to be assigned to the proper precinct and to locate the voter to confirm his or her residence for purposes of verifying qualification to vote under Article VI, section 1 of the state Constitution.  A residential address may be either a traditional address or a nontraditional address.  A traditional address consists of a street number and name, optional apartment number or unit number, and city or town, as assigned by a local government, which serves to identify the parcel or building of residence and the unit if a multiunit residence.  A nontraditional address consists of a narrative description of the location of the voter's residence, and may be used when a traditional address has not been assigned to the voter's residence. 

    (3) All other information supplied is ancillary and not to be used as grounds for not registering an applicant to vote.

    (4) Modification of the language of the official Washington state voter registration form by the voter will not be accepted and will cause the rejection of the registrant's application.

Sec. 15.  RCW 29A.08.107 and 2009 c 369 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) If the applicant provided naturalization documents or a certificate of naturalization as proof of citizenship, the document must be verified with the United States immigration and naturalization service.

(2) If the driver's license number, state identification card number, or last four digits of the social security number provided by the applicant match the information maintained by the Washington department of licensing or the social security administration, and the applicant provided all information required by RCW 29A.08.010, the applicant must be registered to vote. 

    (((2))) (3) If the driver's license number, state identification card number, or last four digits of the social security number provided by the applicant do not match the information maintained by the Washington department of licensing or the social security administration, or if the applicant does not provide a Washington driver's license, a Washington state identification card, or a social security number, the applicant must be provisionally registered to vote.  An identification notice must be sent to the voter to obtain the correct driver's license number, state identification card number, last four digits of the social security number, or one of the following forms of alternate identification:

    (a) Valid photo identification;

    (b) A valid enrollment card of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Washington state;

    (c) A copy of a current utility bill;

    (d) A current bank statement;

    (e) A copy of a current government check;

    (f) A copy of a current paycheck; or

    (g) A government document, other than a voter registration card, that shows both the name and address of the voter.

    (((3))) (4) The ballot of a provisionally registered voter may not be counted until the voter provides a driver's license number, a state identification card number, or the last four digits of a social security number that matches the information maintained by the Washington department of licensing or the social security administration, or until the voter provides alternate identification.  The identification must be provided no later than the day before certification of the primary or election.  If the voter provides one of the forms of identification in subsection (2) of this section, the voter's registration status must be changed from provisionally registered to registered.

    (((4))) (5) A provisional registration must remain on the official list of registered voters through at least two general elections for federal office.  If, after two general elections for federal office, the voter still has not verified his or her identity, the provisional registration may be canceled.

    (((5))) (6) The requirements of this section do not apply to an overseas or service voter who registers to vote by signing the return envelope of an absentee ballot, or to a registered voter transferring his or her registration.

Sec. 16.  RCW 29A.08.123 and 2007 c 157 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) A person who has a valid Washington state driver's license or state identification card may submit a voter registration application electronically on the secretary of state's web site.

    (2) The applicant must attest to the truth of the information provided on the application by affirmatively accepting the information as true.

    (3) The applicant must affirmatively assent to use of his or her driver's license or state identification card signature for voter registration purposes.

    (4) The applicant must send a digital copy of a proof of citizenship document required under RCW 29A.08.010.

(5) A voter registration application submitted electronically is otherwise considered a registration by mail.

    (((5))) (6) For each electronic application, the secretary of state must obtain a digital copy of the applicant's driver's license or state identification card signature from the department of licensing.

    (((6))) (7) The secretary of state may employ additional security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter registration applications submitted electronically.

Sec. 17.  RCW 29A.08.135 and 2009 c 369 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) When a person who has previously registered to vote in another state applies for voter registration in Washington, the person shall provide ((on the registration form all)) documented proof of citizenship, as required by RCW 29A.08.010, as well as information needed to cancel any previous registration.  Notification must be made to the state elections office of the applicant's previous state of registration. If proof of citizenship is not provided, the transfer may not be made.

    (2) A county auditor receiving official information that a voter has registered to vote in another state shall immediately cancel that voter's registration on the official state voter registration list.

Sec. 18. RCW 29A.08.410 and 2009 c 369 s 22 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A registered voter who changes his or her residence from one address to another within the same county may transfer his or her registration to the new address in one of the following ways:

    (((1))) (a) Sending the county auditor a request stating both the voter's present address and the address from which the voter was last registered;

    (((2))) (b) Appearing in person before the county auditor and making such a request; or

    (((3) Telephoning or e-mailing the county auditor to transfer the registration; or

    (4))) (c) Submitting a voter registration application.

(2) When transferring registration to a new address, the voter must provide the county auditor with documented proof that he or she is a United States citizen.  If documentation of citizenship is not provided, the voter's registration may not be transferred.

Sec. 19. RCW 29A.08.420 and 2009 c 369 s 23 are each amended to read as follows:

    A registered voter who changes his or her residence from one county to another county must do so by submitting a voter registration form, and submitting documented proof of citizenship. If proof of citizenship is not provided, the voter's registration may not be transferred. If documentation is provided, the county auditor of the voter's new county shall transfer the voter's registration from the county of the previous registration."

    Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

    Correct the title.

EFFECT: Requires that documented proof of citizenship be provided before being registered to vote, and when transferring registration from within the state or from another state.  

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