SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5409
As of February 7, 2023
Title: An act relating to requiring voter identifier numbers to match driver's license or identicard numbers.
Brief Description: Requiring voter identifier numbers to match driver's license or identicard numbers.
Sponsors: Senator Fortunato.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State Government & Elections: 2/10/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires that unique voter identifiers in the statewide voter registration database be the voter's driver's license or ID number.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & ELECTIONS
Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)
Background:

Statewide Voter Registration Database.  The Secretary of State (SOS) maintains a centralized voter registration database containing the name and registration information of every legally registered voter in the state.  Registration information shared with the SOS through the Department of Licensing (DOL) database is validated and added to this official list of registered voters.  The statewide voter registration database includes the name, date of birth, residential address, signature, gender, and date of registration of every registered voter.  SOS must also assign each registered voter a unique identifier in the statewide voter registration database.

 

Driver's License and Identicard Numbers.  Driver's licenses and identicards must contain a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee.  Distinguishing numbers on all driver's licenses and identicards issued by DOL since September 2018 begin with the letters "WDL," then are followed by nine randomly assigned letters and numbers.
Summary of Bill:

The unique identifier assigned to each voter in the statewide voter registration database must be the voter's Washington driver's license or identicard number.  If the voter does not have a Washington driver's license or identicard, the voter must be assigned an identifier that will become their driver's license or identicard number if the voter later obtains one.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 2, 2023.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.