SENATE BILL REPORT
EHB 1267
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. |
As of March 27, 2013
Title: An act relating to extending the time period for voter registration.
Brief Description: Concerning voter registration.
Sponsors: Representatives Fitzgibbon, Hunt, Stanford, Appleton, Ryu, Van De Wege, Lytton, Tharinger, Hudgins, Liias, Upthegrove, Farrell, Cody, Sawyer, Jinkins, Roberts, Reykdal, Maxwell, Riccelli, Santos, Pollet, Bergquist, Hansen and Ormsby.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/07/13, 64-33.
Committee Activity: Governmental Operations: 3/26/13.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS |
Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)
Background: To register to vote, a person may submit an application via mail or an online registration no later than 29 days before the day of the next primary, special, or general election, or in person at the county auditor's office no later than eight days before the election.
Summary of Bill: The deadlines for registration to participate in an upcoming primary, special, or general election are changed as such:
registrations sent through the mail must be sent no later than 28 days before the election for the voter to participate;
electronic registrations must be sent no later than 11 days before the election for the voter to participate; and
in-person registrations must be submitted to the county auditor's office or other location designated by the county auditor no later than 11 days before the election for the voter to participate.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The intent of this bill is to extend opportunities for people to register to vote. We worked on a compromise that everybody is behind at this point. There is value in having deadlines on the same day. There is also value in county auditors moving more people to online registration because it is easier on staff. The public has really embraced online registration and it is a great process both for the voter and election administrators. This does not significantly change the deadline for updating registration. This was a collaborative effort. In 2008, 6 million Americans did not vote because they missed the registration deadline or did not know how to register. This makes registration easy and convenient. Students receive their mailing addresses two weeks before the current voter registration deadline. We can double our success rate of registering students to vote if the registration deadline is extended.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Fitzgibbon, prime sponsor; Katie Blinn, Office of the Secretary of State; Walt Washington, Greg Kimsey, WA State Assn. of County Auditors; Erasmus Baxter, The WA Bus.
Signed In, Unable to Testify& Submitted Written Testimony: Angie Weiss, Associated Students of the University of WA.