SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5332

BYSenators DeJarnatt, Bailey, Zimmerman, Garrett, Rinehart, Kiskaddon and Moore

Implementing voter registration by mail.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 16, 1987; February 24, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Talmadge.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Walt Corneille (786-7452)

                  February 25, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Washington citizens who desire to become voters must register in person with a voter registrar.  They may be registered by the chief registrar, the county auditor, or by deputy registrars appointed by the auditor.  City and town clerks must be deputy registrars, and a registrar must be appointed for every common school and adequately staffed fire station.  The auditor may appoint other registrars as well.  Currently, there are over 12,000 in the state.  All deputy registrars, other than city or town clerks, are entitled to receive at least 20 cents for each citizen they register to vote. 

Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia allow citizens to register to vote by mail.  It is suggested that Washington adopt such a system as an alternative to in-person registration.

SUMMARY:

Citizens may register to vote by mail.  A system for such registration is established as an alternative to in-person registration.

The Secretary of State adopts administrative rules specifying the forms, standards and procedures for implementing voter registration by mail.  The forms are developed in consultation with the county auditors, and will be furnished by the Secretary of State.  The auditors distribute the forms to city and town clerks, state offices, schools, fire stations and any other locations necessary to extend registration opportunities to all areas of the county.

In addition to information that must currently be furnished by in-person registrants (name, date of birth, address, citizenship, prior in-state voter registration) mail registrants provide their valid state driver's license number.  If that cannot be furnished, a social security number or state identicard number may be provided.  Voters unable to meet these requirements may register to vote in person, as provided in current law.

The registration form includes an initiative signature card, a registration transfer, a cancellation of any prior in-state registration, filing deadlines, and a warning to applicants of the felony penalty for knowingly supplying false information.

A completed registration form is delivered by mail or otherwise to any county auditor in the state.  If the form is delivered to the incorrect auditor, the form must be forwarded to the correct auditor.

If a registration form is complete and correct, the auditor sends a voter registration card to the applicant which identifies the precinct and contains any other information prescribed by the Secretary of State.

If a registration form is incomplete or incorrect, the auditor notifies the applicant and sends them a new form, if necessary.  The postal service may not forward forms or registration cards to any other address, but must return these undelivered items to the auditor.

The statute entitling all deputy registrars except city or town clerks to receive at least 20 cents for each citizen they register to vote is repealed.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Sam Reed, Washington State Association of County Auditors; Dean Williams, Snohomish County Auditor; Doug Ellis, Washington State Republican Party; Ted Cowan, citizen