SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 804

BYHouse Committee on Constitution, Elections & Ethics (originally sponsored by Representatives Wineberry, Fisher, Brooks, Beck, Ebersole, Hargrove, Appelwick, P. King, Pruitt, Jacobsen, Fisch, Taylor and Rasmussen)

Establishing voter registration programs in high schools.

House Committe on Constitution, Elections & Ethics

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 23, 1987; March 30, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended.

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

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

                March 30, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MARCH 30, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The county auditor is the chief registrar of voters for the county.  The auditor is required by law to appoint certain persons as deputy registrars and is authorized to appoint others.  The auditor must appoint a deputy registrar for each common school.  The Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the state.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction, with the assistance of the Secretary of State and the Auditors Association, shall develop a voter registration and registration education program for high school students.  The principal of each high school is encouraged to use the program.  The Superintendent shall disseminate information on the program to all high schools in the state.  The Secretary shall design and provide a standard notice informing students of the availability of voter registration. The notice shall be posted in each high school.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

In addition to the depute registrar the auditor is required to appoint for each common school, the auditor is encouraged to appoint one or more members of the student body of each high school to serve as a deputy registrar.  The student deputy registrar must be a registered voter and is encouraged to help in the education of students on voter registration.

Fiscal Note:    requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   Don Perrin, King County; Bettie Ingham, Yakima County; Bob Fisher, WEA; Jennifer Helget, Secretary of State; Carol Greene, Intern, Representative Wineberry