WSR 26-01-021
EMERGENCY RULES
SECRETARY OF STATE
[Filed December 5, 2025, 9:51 a.m., effective December 5, 2025, 9:51 a.m.]
Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to reiterate existing statute in RCW
29A.08.710 that detail which data in a voter registration record are public information and clarification that violation of this is subject to RCW
29A.84.150.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 434-324-145.
Under RCW
34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.
Reasons for this Finding: Emergency rule making is necessary to immediately clarify statutory requirements and penalties to preserve voter privacy when responding to public records requests for information from the statewide voter registration database while the office of the secretary of state is proposing statutory clarification.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: December 5, 2025.
Amanda Doyle
Chief of Staff
RDS-6878.2
NEW SECTION
WAC 434-324-145Voter registration database record information furnished.
The Washington driver's license number, Washington identification card number, Social Security number, and full date of birth shown on the affidavit of voter registration or included in the voter registration record are confidential and shall not be knowingly disclosed to any person except to state or local election officials and election officers unless authorized by the office of the secretary of state. A violation of this section shall constitute the improper use of information in the statewide voter registration database under RCW
29A.84.150.