FINAL BILL REPORT
2SSB 6731
C 262 L 90
BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators McCaslin and Sutherland)
Including absentee ballots in state-wide election abstracts.
Senate Committee on Governmental Operations and Committee on Ways & Means
House Committe on State Government
SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED
BACKGROUND:
In primary and general elections, the county auditor or election officer must submit an abstract of all votes in that county regarding state ballot measures and candidates for federal, state and legislative offices to the Secretary of State no later than the business day after the county canvassing board has certified the votes. Total votes by precinct are not required in these abstracts, nor is the count of absentee ballots for measures or candidates required to be segregated by precinct. In recent years, more and more voters have routinely cast their ballots as absentees.
The district totals are not fully reflective of outcomes in the various precincts. This is particularly significant as the 1990 census approaches, following which the State Redistricting Commission must reapportion congressional and legislative districts (Chap. 44.05 RCW).
SUMMARY:
After the general election in an even-numbered year, the county election officer must send the Secretary of State a report of absentee votes cast by precinct on state measures and federal or state elective offices. The information must be furnished no later than March 31 of the following year.
Absentee votes may be incorporated into the votes cast for each precinct or may be reported separately by precinct. If the absentees are not incorporated into the precinct total, the votes from more than one precinct may be aggregated, but the precincts should be contiguous to the extent practicable. Except for these requirements, absentee ballots may still be grouped and counted by congressional or legislative district.
VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:
Senate 44 0
House 96 1
EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990