Brief Description: Providing for electronic voter registration.

Sponsors: By Representatives Hunt, Chandler, Green, Kretz, Ormsby, Armstrong, Miloscia, Appleton, Kenney, Goodman and Moeller; by request of Secretary of State.

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs
Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background:

In Washington, individuals may register to vote either by mail or in person at the county auditor's office. If the person has never registered to vote in the state before, or has moved to a new county, he or she must fill out a voter registration form. If a person has moved within a county, he or she can transfer the voter registration by filling out the voter registration form or by mailing, emailing, or calling the county auditor. Individuals who do not have a Washington driver's license or a state identification card must provide one of the following alternate forms of identification:

• valid photo ID;
• valid tribal ID of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Washington;
• copy of a current utility bill;
• current bank statement;
• copy of a current government check;
• copy of a current paycheck; or
• a government document that shows both the individual's name and address.

Summary:

The Secretary of State will provide electronic voter registration via the internet for individuals who have a valid Washington driver's license or state identification card. For each electronic registration, the Secretary of State must obtain a digital copy of the applicant's driver's license or state identification card signature. An electronic voter registration applicant must affirmatively assent to use of his or her signature from the Department of Licensing for verification of identity purposes.

Electronic voter registration is considered registration by mail.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   91   6
Senate   30   17

Effective: January 1, 2008