BILL REQ. #:  H-0614.2 

Read first time 01/17/2007.   Referred to Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs.

     AN ACT Relating to voter registration at state agencies; and amending RCW 29A.08.340.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 29A.08.340 and 2003 c 111 s 225 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A person may register to vote, transfer a voter registration, or change his or her name for voter registration purposes when he or she applies for or renews a driver's license or identification card under chapter 46.20 RCW.
     (2) A person may also register to vote any time he or she receives an in-person public service from any state agency as defined by RCW 42.52.010(1). An in-person public service includes reporting a change of address.
     (3) All state agencies, as defined by RCW 42.52.010(1), shall have a link on the main agency web page to the secretary of state's voter registration web page.
     (4) To register to vote, transfer his or her voter registration, or change his or her name for voter registration purposes under this section, the applicant shall provide the information required by RCW 29A.08.210.
     (((3))) (5) The ((driver licensing agent shall record that the applicant has requested to register to vote or transfer a voter registration)) state agencies providing voter registration services shall keep records of persons who:
     (a) Request, apply, or receive an in-person state service, including reporting a change of address;
     (b) Register to vote, transfer a voter registration, or decline to either register to vote or transfer a voter registration;
     (c) Request a voter registration application but do not return it to the agency staff.
     (6) The secretary of state shall produce an annual report from this data on a county by county basis.
     (7) State agencies shall ensure that no government employee shall:
     (a) Attempt to influence an applicant's political preference or registration;
     (b) Display any political preference or allegiance;
     (c) Make any statement that would discourage an applicant from registering to vote; or
     (d) Make any statement that would lead an applicant to believe that a decision to register or not to register to vote has any bearing on the availability of the public service or assistance.