H-0841.1                  _______________________________________________

                                                      HOUSE BILL 1649

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Representatives Wineberry, Anderson, Veloria, Pruitt, Campbell, Springer, Leonard and J. Kohl

Read first time 02/03/93.  Referred to Committee on State Government.

Extending the voter registration period.

          AN ACT Relating to elections; amending RCW 29.07.160; and adding a new section to chapter 29.07 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 29.07 RCW to read as follows:

          On the day of the general election at which the president and vice-president of the United States are elected, an unregistered qualified elector may register to vote and may vote for the office of president and vice-president in the manner provided by this section.  The person shall register in person in the office of the county auditor or at a voter registration and voting location specifically designated for this purpose by the county auditor of the county in which the applicant resides.  This location shall be open during the regular polling hours for the election.  The newly registered voter shall be given a special absentee ballot which contains only the names of the candidates for the office of president and vice-president of the United States.  The ballot shall be cast at this location in the manner provided for casting absentee ballots at the auditor's office.  The qualifications of the voter may be challenged as provided in RCW 29.36.100.

        Sec. 2.  RCW 29.07.160 and 1980 c 3 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

          The registration files of all precincts shall be closed against original registration or transfers for thirty days immediately preceding every primary, special election, and general election ((and primary)) to be held in such precincts((, respectively)).

          The county auditor shall give notice of the closing of ((said)) the precinct files for original registration and transfer and notice of the special registration and voting procedure provided by section 1 of this act by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least five days before ((such)) the closing((, except as provided for special elections in accordance with section 3 of this 1980 act)) of the precinct files.

No person may vote at any primary, special election, or general election in a precinct polling place unless he or she has registered to vote at least thirty days before that primary or election.

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