Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Government Operations & Elections Committee

HB 1102

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Modifying ballot processing provisions.

Sponsors: Representatives Van De Wege, Hunt, Stanford, Liias, Morrell, Appleton, Fitzgibbon, Hudgins, Riccelli and Bergquist.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires county auditors to process ballots on the day of the primary or general election until midnight or until all ballots received up to and on that day have been processed and counted, whichever occurs first.

Hearing Date: 1/24/13

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

County auditors must process ballots and canvass the votes cast at a primary or election on a daily basis in counties that have a population of 75,000 or more, or every third day in counties with a population of less than 75,000, provided there are 500 or more ballots to be canvassed. However, these processing and canvassing provisions do not include weekends or legal holidays.

Summary of Bill:

County auditors are required to process and count ballots on the day of the primary or general election until midnight or until all ballots received up to and on that day have been processed and counted, whichever occurs first.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/16/13.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.