BILL REQ. #:  H-5479.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/12/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to voter registration and informational activities at institutions of higher education; amending RCW 29A.08.105 and 29A.08.260; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 RCW to read as follows:
     Institutions of higher education shall:
     (1) In accordance with RCW 29A.08.310, put in place a prompt and link to the secretary of state's voter registration web site;
     (2) Make voter registration forms available in places of prominence within the premises of each campus;
     (3) In consultation with the secretary of state and the student government association, or its equivalent, develop and implement policies regarding distribution of voter registration forms to students at the beginning of each term and in campus housing facilities; and
     (4) Collaborate with the student government association, or its equivalent, to conduct nonpartisan voter information activities, which may include voter registration, candidate debates, and issue forums. Responsibility for proposing such activities shall reside with the student government association, or its equivalent.

Sec. 2   RCW 29A.08.105 and 2004 c 267 s 105 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In compliance with the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252), the centralized statewide voter registration list maintained by the secretary of state is the official list of eligible voters for all elections.
     (2) In all counties, the county auditor shall be the chief registrar of voters for every precinct within the county. The auditor may appoint registration assistants to assist in registering persons residing in the county. Each registration assistant holds office at the pleasure of the county auditor and must be a registered voter.
     (3) The county auditor shall ensure that mail-in voter registration application forms are readily available to the public at locations to include but not limited to the elections office, and all common schools, fire stations, institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and public libraries.

Sec. 3   RCW 29A.08.260 and 2004 c 267 s 118 are each amended to read as follows:
     The county auditor shall distribute forms by which a person may register to vote by mail and transfer any previous registration in this state. The county auditor shall keep a supply of voter registration forms in his or her office at all times for political parties and others interested in assisting in voter registration, and shall make every effort to make these forms generally available to the public. The county auditor shall provide voter registration forms to city and town clerks, state offices, schools, fire stations, institutions of higher education as defined in RCW 28B.10.016, and any other locations considered appropriate by the auditor or secretary of state for extending registration opportunities to all areas of the county. After the initial distribution of voter registration forms to a given location, a representative designated by the official in charge of that location shall notify the county auditor of the need for additional voter registration supplies.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2008, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.