Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee

HB 1742

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Providing for privacy protection for certain voter registration information.

Sponsors: Representatives Appleton, Roach, Haigh, Rolfes and Hurst.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Exempts voter birthdates from the voter registration records or files available for public inspection and copying.
  • Prohibits the public from copying the portion of the absentee ballot return envelope that has voter signatures and telephone numbers; this is available only for inspection.

Hearing Date: 2/13/07

Staff: Colleen Kerr (786-7168).

Background:

Under statute, county auditors have custody of original voter registration records. These are confidential records and unavailable for public inspection and copying. For purposes of the statewide voter registration database, however, the County Auditor must keep a computer file of each voter registration for that county. At a minimum, this computer file must contain the voter's full name, date of birth, residential address, gender, date of voter registration, applicable taxing district and precinct codes, and voting records. This information is available for public inspection and copying.

County auditors also maintain custody of absentee ballot records. These records include the return envelope for the absentee ballot. The return envelope has a space for the voter to provide the date on which the ballot was voted, a signature line, and place to provide the voter's telephone number. Providing this information allows the voter to attest to his or her eligibility to vote in that election. This information is covered by a secrecy flap to protect the anonymity of the voter.

Summary of Bill:

County auditors are required to redact the date of birth from voter registration records and files before they are made available for public inspection and copying.

Absentee ballot envelopes maintained by the county auditor are available for public inspection, but the portion of the ballot with the voter's signature is not available for public copying.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.