SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1996

BYRepresentatives McLean, R. Fisher, Ballard, Rector, Rayburn, Miller, Brumsickle, Holland, Sayan, Prince, Anderson and Winsley

Revising voter registration cancellation procedures.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 27, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Conner, Pullen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Desley Brooks (786-7443)

                  March 27, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MARCH 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Under current statutory law county auditors are required to inquire as to the validity of the registration of a voter when official voter information, sent to that voter, is returned by the Postal Service as undeliverable.

SUMMARY:

Procedures are altered for inquiring into the validity of a voter's registration following the return of voter related information by the Postal Service as undeliverable.  A voter must respond to an inquiry sent by the county auditor within 45 days after receipt of the inquiry.  If the voter fails to respond within the specified time period, the voter's registration will be cancelled.  The auditor's subsequent receipt of a satisfactory response from the voter will reinstate the voter's registration.

A voter whose registration has been canceled under this section and who attempts to vote at the next ensuing election shall be issued a questioned ballot.  The auditor will investigate the circumstances surrounding the original cancellation.  If the cancellation was an error, the voter's registration shall be immediately reinstated, and the voter's questioned ballot shall be counted.  If the cancellation was not in error, the voter will be afforded the opportunity to reregister at his or her correct address, and the voter's questioned ballot shall not be counted.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Fred Saeger, Washington Association of County Officials (pro); John Pearson, Office of the Secretary of State (pro)