[Filed January 9, 2026, 10:37 a.m., effective February 9, 2026]

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Purpose: This rule making will establish additional rules for standardized pilot projects conducted under RCW 29A.40.111.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 434-261-046, 434-261-047, 434-261-048, and 434-261-049.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 29A.04.611 and 29A.40.111.

Adopted under notice filed as WSR 25-23-050 on November 13, 2025.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 4, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 4, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 4, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: January 9, 2026.

WAC 434-261-046Alternative identity verification.

The county auditor may conduct initial identity verification by using an alternative verification method approved by the office of the secretary of state in accordance with RCW 29A.40.111.

If the voter's identity is not accepted by the alternative verification method, the county auditor must verify the signature on the ballot return envelope using the standards set forth in WAC 434-261-051 through 434-261-053.

WAC 434-261-047Alternative identity verification application deadline.

This section addresses the process for submitting an alternative identity verification proposal pursuant to RCW 29A.40.111. An alternative identity verification option may be used only for a special election held on the second Tuesday in February or the fourth Tuesday in April, as provided in RCW 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330.

(1) The deadline for a county auditor to submit an alternative identity verification proposal is no later than 104 days before the special election at which the alternative identity verification option would be used.

(2) The office of the secretary of state will provide a response to the county auditor no later than 90 days before the election at which the alternative identity verification option would be used.

(3) For a multicounty special election, the county auditor for each county involved must agree to participate. The proposal must be submitted to the office of the secretary of state by the county auditor for the county with the largest number of voters eligible to participate in the election.

WAC 434-261-048Alternative identity verification application contents.

In addition to the application requirements in RCW 29A.40.111, the county auditor must include how information about the alternative identity verification method will be targeted to groups with higher rates of ballot rejection and any other groups included in the county's community outreach plan established in accordance with RCW 29A.60.168.

WAC 434-261-049Alternative identity verification method approval guidelines.

Following the approval of an alternative identity verification method, the office of the secretary of state must issue written guidance that specifies the approved use of the method and conditions of its use. Alternative identity verification methods are only approved for use in the election specified in the proposal.