Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
HB 2206
Brief Description: Establishing secure online access to the voter registration database.
Sponsors: Representatives Cheney, Low, Couture and Hutchins.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the statewide online voter registration database maintained by the Office of the Secretary of State to provide secure online access and an individualized verification system for voters to access their voter profile.
Hearing Date: 1/17/24
Staff: Connor Schiff (786-7093).
Background:

The Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) maintains a statewide voter registration database, known as VoteWA, that contains the name and registration information of every registered voter in the state.  VoteWA allows individuals to register to vote, update their registration, obtain a replacement ballot, and track their ballot.

 

The Public Records Act (PRA) requires state and local agencies to make their written records available to the public for inspection and copying upon request, unless the information fits into one of the various specific exemptions in the PRA or is otherwise provided in law.  
Summary of Bill:

The online voter registration database, VoteWa, must provide secure online access to voters for printing replacement ballots and updating voter registration information, and must use an individualized verification system for voters to access their voter profile within the database.  The system must include a process for voters to recover a forgotten or lost password.  The verification system is exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 10, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 23, 2024.