S-1460               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5299

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Thorsness, DeJarnatt, Rasmussen and Smith; by request of Secretary of State)

Read first time 1/31/89.

AN ACT Relating to voter assistance; and amending RCW 29.51.200.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 29.51.200, chapter 9, Laws of 1965 as last amended by section 1, chapter 34, Laws of 1981 and RCW 29.51.200 are each amended to read as follows:

          Voting shall be secret except to the extent necessary to assist ((sensory or physically handicapped)) voters as permitted under this section.

          If any voter declares in the presence of the election officers that because of sensory or physical handicap he or she is unable to register or record his or her vote, ((he)) the voter may designate a person of his or her choice or two election officers from opposite political parties to ((enter the voting machine booth with him and record his vote as he directs)) assist in recording his or her vote at the polling place.  Any other voter may request assistance in recording his or her vote at the polling place from two election officers from opposite political parties.